JOEY BARTON has launched a scathing online attack at former Irish international Matt Holland and lashed out at English-born 'plastic Paddys' players who declare for Ireland.

The outspoken QPR midfielder began his offensive after taking exception to comments made by Bury-born Holland on TalkSport.

"Tell him to pipe down. If he was relevant, I'd probably give him a bit. Trying to keep his face in, has to talk about someone," tweeted Barton.

"Sh*t players talking sh*t" the bain of my life. Go and live life away from football, stop being so bitter, twisted and sad. Its boring.

"If ur English, u play for England. If ur English and sh*t, u pretend ur Irish grand parentage matters to u and play for Ireland.

"I'd rather have my 1 England cap and be forever yearning more than take somebody from that countries chance away because my nans from their and I'm not good enough to play for the country I'm from.

"Bore off. Play for the country ur from, if ur not good enough like me, work harder.

"I couldn't play for Ireland as am not Irish, not rocket science. Forget my grandparents, I'M NOT Irish. If I was, I off declared myself 4 em

"Can I just say u could substitute the word "irish" in my nationality statements with any of the home countries. Nothing against the irish..."

Holland, who has 49 caps for Ireland and the distinction of scoring a goal against Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup, responded on Twitter by saying: "Many thanks for all your kind words and support this evening. I genuinely appreciate it and am certainly not interested in getting into any twitter row.

"And by the way was extremely proud and honoured to represent Ireland and wear the green shirt with pride."

In a tweet directed squarely at Barton, Holland wrote: "you may not get this tweet as I believe you are taking a break from twitter but I suggest you listen to the show before jumping to conclusions or listening to others as to what I am supposed to have said. Good luck for the rest of the season."

It is not the first time Barton has become embroiled in a Twitter controversy. In November, he was heavily criticised for describing suicide as a "selfish act" less than two days after the tragic death of Gary Speed.

Barton refused to apologise for the comments stating that people had not digested his views properly.

In August, Barton was told he could leave Newcastle for free after an extraordinary Twitter rant in which he criticised the running of affairs at St James' Park.

The 28-year-old left Newcastle on August 26 signing a four-year deal at Loftus Road.