MATT GILKS reckons Joey Barton will make his presence felt on and off the park at Rangers this term after making his Ibrox bow on Tuesday night.

The midfielder was a second half substitute as Mark Warburton’s side beat Annan 2-0 to make it two wins from two games in the Betfred Cup.

Barton was instrumental for Burnley last season as the Clarets clinched the Championship crown but he turned down a crack at the top flight to make the move across the border and lead the Light Blues’ bid for the Premiership title.

And former Turf Moor team-mate Gilks isn’t surprised to see the 33-year-old making an instant impact at Ibrox as the countdown continues to the new league campaign.

Gilks said: “He was outstanding [last season]. He will probably do the same here as he did at Burnley.

“I was telling the lads, because he didn’t come to America, that he will raise standards.

“He will come in and demand in training, he is a voice, he likes an opinion, he doesn’t shut up at times.

“But he is here to help and I think him in the team, should he start, will be a massive influence on everyone to learn from and play alongside

“Sean Dyche had to stop him talking on the first day! I have said before that Joey has got a lot of bad press in his career but he is so involved in the game, he wants to watch every game he can.

“He talks about it passionately. He was speaking in the meeting the other day and you can tell his desire and determination to succeed still. That can only be a good thing for Rangers.

“It (the meeting) was just how we play and systems, the rotation and he is just getting to know it. He wants to learn it before he does it.

“He will go out and look at it, he will watch videos of it. He came in after the Motherwell game and said this, that and the other.

“He is an experienced pro and the young lads will learn from him. He is a voice and he is good to have in the dressing room.”

Barton was one of a handful of summer signings to make his Ibrox debut on Tuesday night as goals from Barrie McKay and Martyn Waghorn clinched the points for the Gers.

Gilks had an untroubled night between the sticks during a comfortable and deserved win for Warburton’s side on their third outing this term.

And the keeper enjoyed his first taste of Ibrox as a Rangers player as he deputised for Wes Foderingham in the Group F clash.

Gilks said: “Yeah I was very pleased as soon as the manager said I was getting my debut, especially at this great stadium in front of the fans.

“I was really looking forward to it. I had a few days to prepare for it and thankfully it went well.

“I have had a few [quieter games] and sometimes those games are harder for a goalkeeper because it is a mental challenge and you have got to be switched on for 90 minutes.

“They are always going to get a chance or a free-kick, so you have got to be ready all the time and you can’t switch off.

“It was over 30,000 and I text my mother to say there were over 30,000 on a Tuesday night against Annan. It shows the size of the club.

“It is such a good turnout and the noise when Joey came on was incredible. I thought ‘bloody hell, imagine what it will be like with 45,000 here screaming’. I am looking forward to hearing it.”