Mark Warburton: Old Firm triumph was key to luring stars to Rangers this summer

The Rangers boss has made five additions to his Ibrox squad ahead of the new campaign, with Accrington pair Matt Crooks and Josh Windass and former Liverpool kid Jordan Rossiter also making the move north of the border.

Midfielder Niko Kranjcar is poised to put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal while Warburton remains in the market for additions in defence and attack.

Read more: Rangers boss Mark Warburton insists Old Firm battle won't ruin his friendship with Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers

The Englishman will also target a goalkeeper to provide competition for Wes Foderingham as Cammy Bell heads for the exit door to join Dundee United.

And Warburton reckons his job attracting players to Ibrox has been made easier by the Scottish Cup semi-final triumph over Celtic last season.

He said: “It (Barton signing) does [make it easier]. What did it, I think, was the semi-final.

“If there is one factor that weighed in our favour, it was the semi-final.

Read more: ​Mark Warburton to continue Rangers contract talks with Ibrox board

“Everyone I know in football watched it. I had more texts about that game than any other in my life. They all watched it and they saw the passion of the fans, a good quality game, the coverage, everything.

“That, for me, was the deciding factor that made people decide they want to be part of that.

“I think it (the squad) would have been [weaker if it wasn’t for the Old Firm game].

“I don’t mean that in a derogatory way at all. But it was such a showpiece of a game and so many people watched it and enjoyed it.

“It was a good game. You had four goals, penalties, the drama, the crowd, the passion. Had it been 0-0 or a 1-0 in the 93rd minute then maybe it wouldn’t have been the same.

“It was a really exciting game, a good quality game and a good occasion. I think, rightly or wrongly, that really sold the prospect of coming to Glasgow.”

The capture of Barton is not just the biggest deal Warburton has completed during his time at Ibrox, it could prove to be the signing of the summer in Scottish football.

The 33-year-old was named in the Championship Team of the Year as he inspired Burnley to title glory last term but turned down a crack at the Premier League to join the Gers.

And Warburton is delighted to have Barton on board after Head of Recruitment Frank McParland was able to convince the midfielder to head to Scotland.

“Honestly? No,” he said when asked if he thought he would get Barton when he initially made contact.

“What persuaded him to come? His relationship with Frank, conversations myself and David Weir had with him. I’m sure Joey has an enormous amount of respect for David as a person, a player and a coach.

“As I’ve said many times, we have to sell Rangers and Glasgow to the player. When you are up here and feel the intensity of the city and the scale of the club, it’s fantastic. But it’s about getting them up here.

“If you are player X and you are offer £18,000 or £20,000 per week to play in the English Championship then that sometimes dominates a conversation, rather than coming up here, looking around and seeing what is involved. Once we had Joey up here then I was very confident.”

Barton has already made quite an impression off the park since he put pen-to-paper at Ibrox last month and has made a string of headlines as he set his sights on becoming the best player in Scotland next term.

The midfielder has also aimed jibes at new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and captain Scott Brown as the build-up continues to an eagerly anticipated Premiership title duel.

But Warburton is confident the former Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Marseille star won’t fan the flames during the Old Firm battle.

“Joey is a mature professional,” Warburton, speaking at a 2016/17 league season preview event organised by the SPFL and its title sponsors Ladbrokes, said.

“I know he has got a huge Twitter following but he is a combative winner.

“Everyone is different. I will respond in a different manner to Brendan, or whoever it may be. But when you listen to Joey, all he is doing is giving his opinion.

“As long as it is done in a respectful way and a non-confrontational way we will be OK.

“There are always issues through the season. What we have to do is work together, all of our players, and hope that it comes out in the appropriate manner that is good for Rangers.”

*The 2016/17 Ladbrokes Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 seasons all kick off on the weekend of Saturday, 6 August.