CLINT HILL reckons Joey Barton can make just as big an impact on the park as he has done off it during his first campaign with Rangers.

The midfielder has grabbed the headlines during the first few weeks of his Ibrox career and will get down to business when he joins Mark Warburton’s squad in the coming days.

After turning down another crack at the Premier League to make the move north of the border, Barton has set lofty ambitions for himself and for Rangers as he looks to inspire the Light Blues to the Premiership crown next term.

The 33-year-old has courted controversy throughout his career but former QPR team-mate Hill is confident he will have a key influence at Ibrox in the next few months.

He said: “When you sit down with him and you spend a lot of time with him, which I have been lucky enough to do, you can’t help but like him and admire him.

“It is the work ethic he puts into his training and the games and the standards and demands he imposes on people.

“It is massive and that raises everyone’s standards. As soon as he steps through the door he will be doing that.

“I spent a couple of years with him [at QPR] and got to know him well. I enjoyed his company.

“It is great for Scottish football to be honest. He has stoked a few fires already, he has got a lot of interest in the game, which is brilliant.

“I am sure he will be biting at the bullet to get involved and on the pitch and start putting performances in.

“I think it is great for Scottish football that he is here. I am sure he will prove a lot of entertainment along the way.”