HE has a charge sheet, a list of misdemeanours and incidents that few in British football can match, that could run the length of Edmiston Drive.

He has been jailed, fined and suspended. He has attacked opposition players, assaulted team-mates and had bust-ups with managers.

Life in the Old Firm goldfish bowl, then, could either be a recipe for disaster or provide him with the next canvas upon which to showcase his talents. A move to Rangers could bring out the best in him in the twilight of his career.

Joey Barton does not hide from his past, nor will he shirk a challenge in the future.

When the ink dried on his two-year deal on Tuesday afternoon, he instantly became the most high-profile player in our game.

He is the man fans love to hate, the midfielder Mark Warburton hopes can inspire his side to Premiership success. At 33, he is older and wiser.

Barton said: “When you have confronted the demons at a young age, in the spotlight of the English Premier League as I have, you’ve been to jail and all the things that go with it - if you don’t know yourself coming through that process, you’re in the wrong place.

“I wouldn’t be here now. The fact is I’ve come through it, battle-hardened, scarred - but ultimately stronger mentally and emotionally.

“Let’s be truthful about it, football is the easiest part of your life if you are happy everywhere else. It certainly is for me.

“I have a process in place where I know what I have to do to perform at my ultimate capacity at the highest level. I know it works.

“There will be naysayers, because when you are someone who has a reputation like I have, that goes with the territory.

“I make good copy at times with some of the stupid things I say which people take literally. I’m aware of what it is.

“I’ve been on Question Time, I’ve given political opinions, I’ve been outspoken. Then you come away from that thinking ‘I just want to concentrate on football’.

“I just wanted to show everyone I could do it, because all they thought I was before then was a Neanderthal who went out into the city centre, got drunk and had fights.

“I did fit that stereotype for a while. Then you come out of it and show the other spectrum of your personality and character.

“Where am I today? Somewhere in the middle. I’ve got a young family and enjoy spending time with them.

“Ultimately, I’m a man dedicated to his profession. What better place to come than Glasgow to showcase what I believe are going to be the best years of my career.”

There has not been an arrival as significant, in terms of his profile and standing in the game, at Ibrox as Barton for some time.

His countless incidents on and off the park often overshadow the perception of him as a player but there is no doubt he will be an integral part of Warburton’s plans next term.

It is on Twitter rather than on the pitch or the streets where Barton courts controversy these days.

But his outspoken nature is refreshing in our game, and he has no intentions of changing his ways. You either like him or you don’t.

Barton said: “I understand it. I’ve got a rap sheet. I can’t get away from it.

“I can’t say ‘Oh, I’ve reinvented myself’. That’s not me.

“The reality of it is that I behaved inappropriately at times in the past as a player. You mature and get older.

“No matter what you do, people will always want to drag you back to that. I can’t waste energy on that.

“If I did, I would be sitting arguing with those people until I was blue in the face. I just don’t see the point.

“Some people will never, ever see the roses for the thorns. I’m not comparing myself to a rose, but you know that kind of saying.

“So I just ‘be’, I just do what I do. People who know me, have met me and have worked with me know who I am and what I’m about.

“I can’t please everybody and I don’t try to. I believe in who I am as a person and what I’m about as a footballer. In the last few years, I’ve tried to let my football do the talking.

“For a long period in my career, everything else was a sideshow that deflected from what a good player I was - and still think I am.

“I think I’m improving, which is great for this football club and great for me.”

If Rangers can get the best out of Barton in the next two seasons, Warburton’s side will reap the rewards of a move that few thought would be possible.

The midfielder was named in the Championship Team of the Year as he helped Burnley lift the second tier crown but spurned the chance to grace England’s top flight once again.

Barton won’t overlook his past as he sets his sights on a bright future. He is out to make history at Ibrox.

He said: “It’s an institution of British football, you walk in the Trophy Room and you see the portrait of Bill Struth down the bottom and the pennant on the wall and everything that goes with it.

“All the great names from down the years and you’re being shown round by Davie, who is obviously in the Hall of Fame.

“You start looking at the back catalogue of greats who have played for this football club.

“I didn’t want to come to Scotland, as many people have done in the past when their best days are behind them.

“I know for sure I can compete in the Premier League, I think I’ve proved that last year and weirdly in the relegation season at QPR.

“You know what your own barometer is and what the levels are. I want to come here and contribute massively to helping this football club getting back to where it belongs and what better way to do it for people you know you can have a great working relationship.”