Dyche philosophical about Barton's Rangers move

Championship winner Joey Barton is expected to come up against the Clarets at Ibrox tomorrow.
Rangers' Joey Barton (right) challenges Annan Athletic's Przemyslaw Dachnowicz during the Betfred Cup, Group F match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 19, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Rangers. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLYRangers' Joey Barton (right) challenges Annan Athletic's Przemyslaw Dachnowicz during the Betfred Cup, Group F match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 19, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Rangers. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Rangers' Joey Barton (right) challenges Annan Athletic's Przemyslaw Dachnowicz during the Betfred Cup, Group F match at the Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday July 19, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Rangers. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Barton made 38 appearances last season as Burnley won the title, winning a place in the PFA Championship team of the year and the official Burnley player of the year award.

But at the end of the season he was tempted by a two-year deal at Rangers, and boss Sean Dyche is philosophical about it all: “He made a decision, simple as that. “He spoke to me about it.

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“It was a different life change and experience, in what probably are the last couple of years of his career.

“He loved it here and we totally enjoyed having him here.”

Barton became a huge crowd favourite during his brief stay at Turf Moor, and Dyche added: “He was well thought of.

“We loved what he did and he loved being here.

“It was just a connection that was made between us as staff and his fellow players, and the crowd.

“In a weird way, it’s just the way it was, him leaving for a new challenge, just one of those things.”