JOEY BARTON knows the history. But Celtic aren’t the grand old team he always wanted to play for.

The 33-year-old will pull on a blue jersey next season but not the one of boyhood heroes Everton. Instead, it will be a moment few people thought they would see as Barton strides out at Ibrox as a Rangers player.

Those that have spent their time trawling through Barton’s Twitter feed in recent days have found plenty of comments they assumed would rile Rangers fans, including one where he states he is a Celtic fan.

In truth, few Light Blues are concerned about Barton’s past or his views on a range of subjects. And the midfielder is determined to prove his dedication to the Gers cause in the future.

Barton said: “I never ever said I wouldn’t sign for Rangers. The reality is that you say a lot of things on social media, if you follow my Twitter feed I have probably offended the whole world at some point!

“So you can delve into it and find what you want in there to set an agenda against me. Such is the nature of someone who has opinions like I do.

“But look, the reality of it is: I am an Everton fan. I was a born and bred Evertonian, my family who loved football, steeped in a great footballing city just like Glasgow is.

“And you are forced to take sides. When Madrid play Barca, who are you supporting? You have got to pick one.

“When Inter Milan and AC Milan play, you have to pick one. That is just the nature of being in a football family in a football hotbed.

“Obviously with Celtic and Rangers, the world stops to watch that game, and you are forced to pick sides. Being Joseph Anthony, and my grandmother being Roman Catholic, and going to St Agnes Junior School and St Thomas a Becket, I didn’t have pretty much anywhere to go! That is pretty much who you are going to support.

“But I don’t think anybody will be under any illusions - once I pull on the Rangers jersey - about who I will support.

“Everywhere I have been in my career - and as a footballer it sounds strange to say this - but you stop supporting, I was an Evertonian who grew up supporting Everton and Everton released me at 14. I was absolutely devastated, going home crying my eyes out. You learn the harsh realities of being the professional footballer.

“Then you go and play for clubs - Manchester City, QPR, Marseille, Burnley - and you give your absolutely all for the jersey.”

After spells across England and on the continent, Barton has now landed in Glasgow to a whirlwind of headlines and once again been thrust into the limelight.

It is a move that will fulfil a football urge, not boost his bank balance. It is a challenge for the midfielder, not a slip into a comfort zone.

He has packed plenty, both good and bad, into his career to date. Would a title win at Ibrox be the pinnacle, though?

“I think you’re better asking me once that’s won,” Barton said. “That seems a long way off just now. The focus and concentration has to be on winning the next game, then the next one.

“If, after a significant period, that ends up with medals and titles then so be it. That is the nature of being a Rangers player.

“I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. I firstly have to get my place in the team. This is a side that has won the Championship, the Petrofac Cup and reached the Scottish Cup final. “This is a good side. I’m not just going to instantly walk into the first team. You earn your spurs on a daily basis on the training ground.

“First and foremost, I have to get a lot of things in place. But I’m just really looking forward to the challenge.

“I come here really, really hungry off the back of a successful season – knowing what that looks and feels like and wanting more of it.

“The reason I have come to Rangers is that this is the most successful organisation in world football in terms of winning league titles.

“I’m hoping in some way that they infect me with that because I want to win as much as I possibly can. Every game. Every training session. If I play my little boy at anything, I want to beat him. That’s what you are dealing with.

“Sometimes, in pursuit of that, I have crossed the line. But I think I know where that line lives now, certainly a lot better than I did earlier in my career.

“The greatest achievement I have had is not getting a suspension in the Championship because that is as rough and tumble a league as you can get.

“How can you come here and not embrace it? This is what it is about.

“Reading Bill Struth’s famous quote about what it takes to be a player for Rangers, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. And you think: This is a bit of me.”

Within minutes of his move to Ibrox being confirmed, Barton had returned to social media to quote Struth’s speech and further endeared himself to his new fan base.

He has absorbed the history of the club, but now he has a chance to make his own mark in Ibrox folklore.

Barton said: “Life is so strange. You bounce from one thing to another. If you told me 12 months ago that I’d have achieved what I did at Burnley, but still left and come to Rangers I’d have said you were mad.

“I’ve stopped second guessing life, mainly because I’m terrible at predicting the future as you can see on social media. I said I’d never play in the Championship then played in the Championship. Everything.

“I’ve had some tough periods in life, as I dare say we all have, but you come through the other side and learn what’s important.

“I just want to full enjoy these moments. At some point, the ability to go out and perform at a high level for a huge football club isn’t going to be there.

“You have to enjoy the pressure, coming to training and trying to get your performance to a high level. Because it goes in the blink of an eye. I still remember my debut like it was yesterday. And before you know it you are 300 or 400 games down the line.

“It’s only mad periods of huge games that you remember. Everything else becomes a blur.

“For me, one of the key things now is to really enjoy football. Someone has to win, someone has to lose. It might not always go your way but you have to enjoy it. I’ve had that mindset for a couple of years and I think my football has benefited from it.”