Rangers star Joey Barton has described Mark Warburton's handling of the training ground row, which saw the midfielder banished as "strange".

The 34-year-old was involved in a disagreement with team-mate Andy Halliday and other Rangers players on Tuesday and has been told to stay away from Auchenhowie until next week.

It is understood this is not the first time the ex-England international has caused unrest within the dressing room with the player unavailable for Saturday's game with Ross County.

Speaking on TalkSport, Barton appeared to criticise Warburton's handling of the situation.

He said: "The way it's been handled is strange.

"I'll sit down with Warbs on Monday - that was always the plan, once the lads win on Saturday because that is the most important thing. I'll be supporting my team-mates on Saturday, that is all that matters.

"I've got to re-evaluate stuff. Now that this has happened it changes the landscape slightly.

"It's disappointing but I'm as committed to Glasgow Rangers as the day I signed. There's nothing at all that has altered me from that task.

"All I want is for Rangers to win and for us to be the best we can possibly be, on the training ground and at a match on a Saturday."

Barton's argument with fellow players came in the wake of the 5-1 derby defeat to Celtic with squad members giving their views on what had gone wrong against Brendan Rodgers' side.

The former Newcastle and Burnley man insisted there's no ill-feeling with fellow midfielder Halliday.

He added: "They've told me to stay away but there are a lot of misconceptions out there at the moment.

"I've been asked to re-evaluate the way I'm thinking, but I don't think they're going to change - I want Rangers to win.

"We lost to our fiercest rivals at the weekend, we came in to train on Monday and Tuesday and we're picking the bones of how we get better, how we get Rangers back to the top of Scottish football.

"We're asked for an opinion and I'm someone who gives an opinion. Two passionate Rangers players have then shared opinions on how we get better as a team and what's going wrong for us. It's nothing more and nothing less than that.

"Obviously sometimes the way I communicate can be a bit blunt and a bit direct and it ruffles people's feathers, which I know I have to work at, but I don't apologise for trying to win. I care deeply about playing football.

"There is absolutely no issue with me and Andy. We sat down in the dressing room afterwards and spoke through what was said.

"It's disappointing that certain people are trying to insinuate that there is, because it's completely false.

"Andy is a mad, passionate Rangers fan, he's stood in the terraces, so I've got great respect for him. He cares deeply about making the club better, as I do."