Today, in an incredible scene, Jim Traynor forced the Sevco manager Mark Warburton to abandon a press conference after questions about Joey Barton.
Traynor, who does not work for the club but at the notorious Level 5 PR, attempted to intimidate a journalist into dropping a line of questioning on when the Barton situation might be resolved. The journalist in question refused to kowtow and at that Traynor told the manager he was done, and ushered him from the room.
It’s an extraordinary scene, and should give you some hint as how scared everyone inside Ibrox is about this issue.
As I said in a piece yesterday, there are stories – which I believe – which suggest that this issue has driven a wrecking ball through a number of relationships at the club. You cannot watch this video (there’s a link at the bottom of the piece) and doubt it.
Warburton eventually returned, as the video says, 20 minutes later. He still refused to take questions on the issue.
Whatever is going on between him and the player, the club wants it kept under wraps. Barton himself has been uncharacteristically silent on the goings on inside the club, and that has to be a sign in itself that this is heading towards a big bang.
PFA Scotland is yet to comment either, but the player is being subjected to truly draconian punishment here, for what amounts to speaking his mind. It appears likely that he’s still being paid whilst on suspension as to do otherwise would plunge the club into a legal minefield.
Getting him to leave is equally problematic; that would cost close to £2 million.
Traynor and his well-paid PR firm can try to keep a lid on this one all they like; this isn’t going away.
There will need to be some resolution to this.
The Sevco fans, who bought season tickets on the basis that Barton was in the team, deserve answers.