Rangers manager Mark Warburton is taken out of his news conference after receiving questions on the future of suspended midfielder Joey Barton Rangers manager Mark Warburton is taken out of his news conference after receiving questions on the future of suspended midfielder Joey Barton

There was drama at Mark Warburton's pre-match news conference on Wednesday as the Rangers boss was advised to step out following questions on Joey Barton.

Barton has until today [Wednesday] to respond to an SFA charge of allegations he bet on 44 football matches between July and September this year.

Sky Sports understands a request has been submitted by Barton or his representatives for this deadline to be extended - citing the volume of documentation to be considered. This request is expected to be considered the by the SFA's Judicial Panel on Thursday.

Barton was absent again from Rangers training with the midfielder currently suspended by the club - which was extended by a week - following a separate altercation with team-mate Andy Halliday.

However, a dramatic news conference unfolded when Sky Sports' Mark Benstead asked the Rangers boss if he could provide any updates or details on Barton's situation but was told there would be no comment.

After asking three Barton-related questions which were politely knocked back by Warburton, PR advisor to the club, Jim Traynor, then stepped in which led to a break in the news conference before the Gers boss re-appeared 20 minutes later to finish proceedings and answer questions on other topics.

In answer to questions on Barton, the Rangers manager had said: "I'm not going to make a comment, I haven't made any comment on it. It is being dealt with by the powers that be at the club so when there is news to come out it will come out but until then there is no comment.

"There is no comment on Joey Barton, it wouldn't be right, there is a process going through right now so there will be no comment from myself.

Barton in action for Rangers

"There will be no comment. You can ask as long as you want, as many times as you want, but I promise you there will be no comment.

"It is being dealt with by the powers that be at the club who are following an appropriate process but as far as myself is concerned it wouldn't be right to make any comment whatsoever."

Click on the video above to watch the dramatic news conference.

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