Joey Barton’s shameful betting will land the Rangers midfielder with a three-match ban from Ladbrokes Premiership matches.

The controversial midfielder will also sit out the next rounds of the William Hill Scottish Cup and the Betfred Scottish League Cup.

Barton has also been fined £50,000, to be withdrawn straight from his Paddy Power account.

Friends of Barton warned that news of his suspension was likely to send him into “a mad punching frenzy”.

One anonymous tipster warned to keep a safe distance from Barton until he “tires himself out from punching everyone in his immediate vicinity”.

They advised: “As long as you’re nowhere near him you should be fine.

“It’s a veritable punchfest for anyone who happens to be around him now, alright – and he’ll more likely than not have jabbed a lit cigar into someone’s eye.

“If there’s one thing he hates it’s being on the receiving end of ironic justice, so I’d be amazed if he hasn’t ritually sacrificed someone by now.

“To be honest I’m not sure why I’m still friends with the guy, I hated him at school and I didn’t much care for him during his QPR spell either.

“This anonymous tipster was brought to you in association with Coral.”