Gazza snub is blasted by McCoist
FORMER Rangers boss Ally McCoist claims the decision to withdraw Paul Gascoigne’s nomination for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame is an “embarrassment” to the game north of the border.
The ex-Rangers and England midfielder was due to be inducted at a Glasgow dinner a week on Sunday.
His invite was pulled on Thursday night, 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 several Scottish Football Association board members were set to snub the event in relation to concerns over Gascoigne’s suitability for the honour.
Now McCoist – who played alongside Gascoigne during his two-and-a-half year stay in Glasgow – has hit out at those behind the move.
He said: “It is just another embarrassment.
“There is no doubt Gascoigne has been one of the players to brighten up Scottish football over the last 30 to 40 years.
“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.
“Does he deserve his place in the Scotland Hall of Fame?
“You are joking, 100 per cent he does.
“However, it is just what happens in Scottish football.
“Not only do they make mistakes but they just shoot themselves in the foot all the time.
“How can they release something saying Paul Gascoigne has been inducted into the Scotland Hall of Fame – great, Paul gets a boost – and then all of a sudden with nine days to go say it has been withdrawn?
“It is an embarrassment, an absolute embarrassment.”
Fans group Follow Rangers say they are “appalled” by the decision.
Their statement added: “Treating someone with known mental health issues with such insensitivity is unforgivable.”