Celtic captain Scott Brown has hit back at jibes from Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, claiming that the former Queens Park Rangers skipper is a fan of the Scottish champions.

Brown, 30, was making fun of the fact that Barton had previously made public his affection for the Hoops in a 2012 tweet.

The recent Gers signing had previously told talkSPORT: "Without being disrespectful to the players up there, people keep talking about Joey Barton v Scott Brown. He's not even in my league – he's nowhere near the level of player I am."

Brown hit back, telling BBC Sport: "I've not been in his league, he's in my league. I think we'll get on really well, him being a Celtic fan, so I think we'll get on great."

The first Old Firm league derby of the 2016-17 Scottish Premiership season takes place on September 10.