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Cape Town - Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton insists he is ready for top-flight football again after having sufficient time out to mature.
QPR beat Derby county 1-0 in the Championship Playoffs to win promotion back to the English Premier League, and Barton is convinced that time spent re-evaluating will help him grow up.
"You're always trying to improve as a person and a player," Barton told Sky Sports.
"You have to pick yourself up and go again. In the coming weeks I'll be re-evaluating my goals and targets from a personal point of view."
Barton has landed himself in hot water over recent years with his short temper and fiery personalty, but the footballer everybody loves to hate has been praised by manager Harry Redknapp who has suggested the 31-year-old has the potential to be very successful in a managerial role one day.
Barton believes he has plenty still to do on the pitch before making any decisions about his managerial future.
"I'd rather be a top player first. I've still got a lot of goals that I'm able to achieve as a player.
"Hopefully my best years are still ahead of me."
Barton and QPR will have their work cut out for them when they compete against the countries most elite clubs in the Premier League next season.
QPR beat Derby county 1-0 in the Championship Playoffs to win promotion back to the English Premier League, and Barton is convinced that time spent re-evaluating will help him grow up.
"You're always trying to improve as a person and a player," Barton told Sky Sports.
"You have to pick yourself up and go again. In the coming weeks I'll be re-evaluating my goals and targets from a personal point of view."
Barton has landed himself in hot water over recent years with his short temper and fiery personalty, but the footballer everybody loves to hate has been praised by manager Harry Redknapp who has suggested the 31-year-old has the potential to be very successful in a managerial role one day.
Barton believes he has plenty still to do on the pitch before making any decisions about his managerial future.
"I'd rather be a top player first. I've still got a lot of goals that I'm able to achieve as a player.
"Hopefully my best years are still ahead of me."
Barton and QPR will have their work cut out for them when they compete against the countries most elite clubs in the Premier League next season.
