ALLY MCCOIST has hit out at the decision to withdraw Paul Gascoigne’s nomination for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame and labelled it an ‘embarrassment’.
It was confirmed on Thursday night that the Rangers legend would not take his place amongst some of the most decorated names associated with our game at a dinner later this month.
Gascoigne was nominated for a place in the Hall of Fame as a reward for his contribution to Scottish football during his three-year stint at Ibrox in the 90s.
But his nomination proved controversial in some quarters and members of the Scottish FA board threatened to boycott the event, which will be held in Glasgow on Sunday, October 28.
Gazza was due to be one of five famous faces honoured in Glasgow this month after his name was put forward by members of the public and he was selected by a panel.
The 51-year-old has long battled alcohol and drug addiction and a statement from the SFHOF cited ‘concern’s over Paul’s health’ as a reason for withdrawing the invite.
But Light Blue legend McCoist insists his former team-mate more than deserves his place alongside the great and good of Scottish football.
He said: “There is absolutely no doubt that has Gascoigne has been one of the players to brighten up and light up Scottish football in the last 30, 40 years. No shadow of doubt.
“Some brilliant imports. Henrik Larsson, brilliant player. [Paolo] Di Canio, boys like that. Laudrup. But Gascoigne, it was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to play with someone of that talent.
“I actually think we got the best of Gascoigne when he was at Rangers and he absolutely lit up Scottish football.
“Does he deserve his place in the Scotland Hall of Fame? You’re joking, one hundred per cent he does.
“When you look back at Scottish football, and I think it is on a recovery at this moment in time, but when you look back at the last 20, 25, 30 years and talk about the great things that have happened in Scottish football… As I said, Larsson was a wonderful player for Celtic. But, equally, I thought Paul Gascoigne in his three-year spell at Rangers and in Scottish football was nothing short of sensational.
“It is just what happens in Scottish football. Not only do they make mistakes, and you can accept people making mistakes, but they just shoot themselves in the foot all the time.
“How can they release something saying Paul Gascoigne is being inducted into the Scotland Hall of Fame? Great. Paul gets a boost, Paul’s fans get a boost.
“And then all of a sudden, with nine days to go, say that it has been withdrawn. It is an embarrassment.”
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