McCoist blast at snub of Gazza

ALLY McCOIST believes the decision to withdraw Paul Gascoigne’s nomination for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame is an “embarrassment”.

Former Rangers and England midfielder Gazza was due to be inducted at a Glasgow dinner a week on Sunday. But his invite was pulled on Thursday night, with organisers citing “a number of factors including ongoing enquiries and concerns over the state of Paul’s health” for the decision.

The U-turn came on the back of reports that several Scottish FA board members were set to boycott the event over concerns about Gascoigne’s suitability for the honour.

Now former Rangers manager McCoist – who played alongside Gascoigne during his two-and-a-half year stay in Glasgow – has hit out at those behind the move. “There’s no doubt that Gascoigne has been one of the players to brighten up Scottish football over the last 30 to 40 years,” McCoist told talkSPORT radio.

“It was an absolute privilege and a pleasure to play with somebody of that talent. I actually think we got the best of Gascoigne when he was at Rangers.

“And does he deserve his place in the Scotland Hall of Fame? You’re joking, 100 per cent he does. But it’s just what happens in Scottish football. Not only do they make mistakes, but they just shoot themselves in the foot all the time.

“It’s an absolute embarrassment.”

Gascoigne won both Scottish player of the year awards in his first season after joining Rangers in 1995 – but also caused controversy.

He made a fluteplaying gesture – considered highly provocative in Glasgow’s sectarian climate – in a pre-season friendly with Steaua Bucharest at Ibrox and he later repeated the act at Celtic Park.