DAVID WEIR, the Rangers assistant manager, admitted he didn't believe the club was still capable of attracting a high profile player such as Joey Barton.

The new signing will not be on the wages of those who came up from England in previous years; however he remains a coup, according to Weir, and this occasionally controversial and always colourful character is a personality who many within Ibrox felt was beyond them at this time.

Barton signed a two-year deal and his new coach was clearly delighted by his arrival.

“I think it is a massive signing, I really do," said Weir. "I think for us to have the opportunity to sign a player of that calibre was probably outwith what we expected.

“So it’s been a long process, it’s been difficult, and to get him in the building, I think, says a lot about the work that has gone on. I’ve known him for a long time, playing against him and obviously watching him as well.

“He’s a fantastic talent and has all the attributes that we need within our team to add to what we have already got. So he ticks all the boxes in regards to both personality and ability.

“I think it’s a massive coup, as I said. I think he’s possibly a player we thought was unachievable in regards to, in many people’s eyes, the best player in the Championship last season.

"Obviously Joey’s profile is big, it adds to the club, but his ability is the most important thing and the level he played at last year in the Championship in England, which is a really difficult league, makes it a perfect signing for us.”

Confidence won't be a problem for Barton but how he copes with the pressure of being the most famous player at Rangers will be interesting.

The Liverpudlian has packed a lot into his 33 years but nothing will have prepared him from life in Glasgow. Weir, however, believes the player will relish all of these challenges.

"I think he enjoys it and it’s a big part of the reason he came here, because he realises what Rangers can be and the expectation to win football matches every week is a heavy burden," said the former club captain. "Some players don’t enjoy that and some players do enjoy that.

“I just get the feeling that Joey is going to really enjoy it; he’s been promoted with Burnley, he’s been promoted with Queen’s Park Rangers, he’s qualified for the Champions League with Marseille, he’s had success throughout his career on a number of levels.

“We are genuinely fortunate to get that at the club now.”

Barton could have stayed at Burnley for one final crack at Premier League football or even thrown himself into his many off-field interests.

"Joey is involved in coaching, he’s involved in media, he does a lot of of things, but I think he’ll be very clear in regards to the reason he is here, which is to play and to help the football club be successful," said Weir speaking to the official Rangers website

“That is his number one priority, his number one focus, and he’s been very clear about that in the dialogue we’ve had with him. The reason he has come here is to try make Rangers successful – that’s music to our ears.”