JOEY Barton believes being at the 'incredible football institution' Rangers will stand him in good stead for life.

The Light Blues midfielder has hit the headlines this week after he was suspended for three weeks by the Ibrox club for a training ground spat, put under investigation for betting on football matches and released his new autobiography.

Speaking at an event in London for The Times, Barton reflected on his decision to move north.

Read more: Rangers midfielder Joey Barton's autobiography up for sports book of the year award

He said: "It's an incredible football institution. In England we have many clubs. Every time I speak people think I'm disrespectful about Scotland and I'm not but there is a huge focus on the Old Firm. For me, that is unique. 

"I've not played for a club in England like that. There are similarities in France with Marseilles and PSG. There is a responsibility that comes with that. When I look at it, would I have got the same introspection at Burnley in the Premier League? I probably wouldn't.

"Would I have learned the same lessons with Burnley in the Premier League? No I wouldn't. Will it stand me in great stead for the rest of my life? Yes, I think it would."