Barton was QPR’s ‘driving force’ – Redknapp

Harry Redknapp has hailed Joey Barton for his part in getting QPR promoted – and tipped the midfielder to make his mark as a manager in the future.

Barton, an outcast at Loftus Road before being loaned to Marseille last season, was brought back into the fold by boss Redknapp after a permanent move to the French club did not materialise.

This term he has been a key player for Rangers and was inspirational during the play-offs, culminating in the dramatic victory against Derby at Wembley on Saturday.

“Joey Barton has been a real driving force behind the team, he really has,” Redknapp declared.

“He is such a leader in that dressing room and he is so into his football. He is such a student of the game. He watched every minute of every game. Everything you do in training he wants to talk about it.

“In the dressing room he is a real real inspiring person and I never thought I would say that, but he is.”

And Redknapp is convinced the 31-year-old is destined for a successful career in coaching and management.

“Absolutely. He is really into football as much as any player I have ever met. He is doing his coaching badges,” he said.

“He analyses everything; where we’re going to press, how we going to do this, where are we dropping to? He is just amazing.

“A lot of lads shoot off home, but he’s there all afternoon and wants to talk about football. He has been fantastic.

“He was the one who got them in a huddle before the Wigan game and he was the one driving everybody on and it was the same against Derby at half-time and before the game. He’s a real leader.”

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