Paul Gascoigne is a name which will always be associated with Rangers.
But had things been a little different, and Sir Alex Ferguson had his way, the legendary former England midfielder might never have moved to Ibrox.
The Manchester United icon famously performed a transfer u-turn on Sir Alex to sign for Tottenham in 1988 and the story has echoed through the history of British football.
Speaking about that famous moment, Paul Gascoigne has revealed that had it not been for Eric Cantona staying at United in 1995, then he might’ve finally wound up at at Old Trafford.
Instead the midfielder moved to Rangers.
Talking on the Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Gascoigne has also revealed where he believes he was at the peak of his powers.
The question is, was it whilst he was at Rangers?
Gascoigne, United & Cantona
Talking about his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Gascoigne revealed that he might’ve joined Manchester United after leaving Lazio.
The Gers legend eventually made the switch to Ibrox that summer but the England icon has confirmed that he held talks with Bryan Robson over a move to Old Trafford.
But the Rangers hero has revealed that Eric Cantona’s decision to remain in England that year rippled through Ibrox with the Frenchman’s situation crucial to Gazza’s future.
The situation was famously sore for Sir Alex Ferguson, with Gascoigne claiming it took six years for the ex-Rangers striker to talk to him after the transfer to Spurs.
“When I was leaving Lazio I did have the chance (to join Manchester United),” said Gascoigne.
“I remember ringin up Bryan Robson and saying ‘look I’m leaving Lazio are Man United interested?’
“Fergie was right next to him so I spoke to him and he said ‘look, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ve got Cantona and if he leaves, I’m going to sign you, but if he stays then because the two of you play in the same position I’m just going to keep Cantona’.
“Obviously Cantona stayed and I made a great move to Rangers.”
Asked about his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, Gascoigne said: “I think a couple of years ago I went to watch Man United play Chelsea and he was in the lounge.
“A guy came up and he says Sir Alex Ferguson wants to see you in his office and I start panicking.
“I went into his office and he still gave us a b********, ‘I can’t believe you didn’t sign for me’.
“I think it took him six years to speak to us again (after turning Sir Alex down).”
Rangers ‘fantastic’ for Gazza
Instead Paul Gascoigne moved to Rangers and etched himself into the history of Ibrox.
Still regarded as one of the club’s biggest legends, to have had such a generational talent play for Rangers remains a source of immense pride for the supporters of the club.
Gascoigne too is never shy of talking up his experience in Glasgow and remains just as fond of Rangers as the fans are of him.
But whilst the Englishman’s career was carved out in England, Italy and Scotland, there is only one place the legendary former Ibrox midfielder was going to choose when asked where Gazza was happiest.
“Lazio it come to the latter years and I was miserable and sad and I had an injury and I had to get that over,” said Gascoigne. “I knew I was leaving and I asked (my agent) what teams were involved.
“He said Chelsea, Glenn Hoddle, and I said ‘I’m not going to him’.
“The problem with me and Glenn Hoddle was he says ‘Gazza I’ve found God’ and I said ‘that must’ve been a great pass’.
“But Rangers are a massive club.
“I always watched them how they did and Walter (Smith) when he came over and seen us he said ‘look you seem a bit sad, you come to our club, it’ll put a smile on your face and you’ll enjoy your football again, and there were some good guys like Coisty and Durranty’.
“I thought that’s all I really needed and I knew how big the club was and on top of that I had Euro 96, so it all come together for us.
“I got some abuse in that dressing room for a few weeks prior to the tournament but I just told the lads ‘look guys, you’ve seen how I play for Rangers but you’ve not seen what I’m like when I play for England’.
“So to score that goal (v Scotland at Euro 96) was phenomenal, it was a brilliant feeling. That year was fantastic for me.”
