Big things were expected of Joey Barton at Rangers when he joined the Scottish Premiership outfit on a two-year contract in May 2016 following a successful season with Burnley in the Championship.

Despite his bad-boy reputation, the former Newcastle United and Manchester City midfielder was clearly a decent player - and there was little doubt that he would improve Rangers’ starting line-up.

However, Barton’s stint at Ibrox was shorter than anyone could have envisaged.

Just six months after signing for the club - having made eight appearances - Barton had his contract terminated following a training ground argument with Andy Halliday.

He was also being investigated by the Scottish Football Association over alleged breached of gambling rules at the time.

Barton’s one and only appearance in an Old Firm derby ended in a 5-1 defeat against Celtic in September 2016 - a result that Scott Brown enjoyed more than most.

Barton had taken a pop at the Celtic captain’s ability weeks earlier, telling talkSPORT: “People keep talking about Joey Barton and Scott Brown. He ain’t in my league. He is nowhere the level I am as a player. He can’t get to me.

“If I play well, Scott Brown doesn’t stand a chance. That is not me being blasé. That is me just stating what I believe.”

However, Brown bossed Barton in their one and only meeting, describing the game as “men against boys” in his memorable post-match interview.

Barton, who now manages Fleetwood Town, antagonised Brown again via the media earlier this year.

Following a 0-0 draw between Celtic and Motherwell at Fir Park, in which Brown was involved in a controversial incident with Cedric Kipre, Barton said on talkSPORT: “Has Scott Brown been cheating again?

“Is he the full shilling? We saw him up at Aberdeen the other week and then wearing the shades against Rangers.

“It seems to me he is a little bit short. He doesn’t look the full ticket to me.”

However, it’s Broony who has won the latest battle.

Per the Daily Record, the Scottish midfielder was asked by a Celtic fan during a Q&A: "How many times a day do you let Joey Barton out of your pocket for fresh air?"

Brown provided the perfect response: “Joey’s still in my pocket.”

Savage from Brown - although it’s hard to blame him for taking a cheap dig at Barton after everything the one-time England international has said about him over the past two-and-a-half years.

If anything, Brown’s response will only help to further endear him to the Celtic fans who already love him.

Over to you, Joey.