Leigh Griffiths: How many caps has Joey Barton got?

Celtic goal hero Leigh Griffiths has defended club captain Scott Brown in the seemingly never-ending war of words with new Rangers signing Joey Barton.

Leigh Griffiths has come to the defence of team-mate Scott Brown. Picture: PA

Shortly after becoming Mark Warburton’s fourth signing of the summer, Barton insisted the Celtic captain “wasn’t in his league”.

Brown, though insisting the criticism didn’t bother him, decided to answer with a joke, saying he’d get along well with Barton seeing as the former Newcastle and Manchester City star was a “Celtic fan”. To which, Barton replied by posting a picture of Brown wearing a Rangers strip as a child on Twitter.

Griffiths has now waded into the mire by claiming Brown’s credentials as an international captain and Champions League player show he’s the superior talent.

He asked: “How many caps has Joey got? Just the one for England? And Brown has 50 for Scotland, he’s the captain of his national team, won titles and competed in the Champions League.

“It’s up to Barton to say what he wants - but look at Brown’s CV. Now look at Joey Barton’s CV and everything he’s done in his career. Compare the two. I’m pretty sure I know who I would pick.

“Scott has Champions League experience, he’s done it at the very top level of the game, for club and country. If Barton wants to come up here and disrespect him, Brown will take that in his stride. The first Old Firm game will be interesting.”

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