Can you believe it has been almost three decades since Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne arrived at the Ibrox main entrance?
Signed on 10 July 1995 for a reported fee of £4.3 million, the Newcastle born midfielder went down in Rangers legend following a glittering three season period in Glasgow. A spell that not only left a mark on Gers faithful, but also Gascoigne himself.
Named in the club’s Hall of Fame back in 2006, Gazza lifted two Scottish titles, one Scottish Cup and a Scottish League Cup with the Light Blues, while he also won several individual awards. Gazza was named PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 95/96 before leaving for Middlesbrough for £3.45 million in March 1998. A move he admits he wish he’d never had to make.
Arguably one of the club’s greatest ever players, we look back on the best quotes about his ex-boss Walter Smith, team mate Ian Durrant and - of course - the Rangers fans he adored so much.
1. On his first meeting with Walter Smith...
“When I spoke to Walter he asked me what I was missing in football and I told him it was playing with a smile on my face. I wasn’t getting that in Italy and he told me I would get that here and he was spot on" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
2. On playing for Rangers...
"Glasgow Rangers. God. I loved playing for them" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
3. On regrets at leaving Ibrox...
"I loved it. People ask me if I have any regrets in life and one of them was leaving this club" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group
4. On how much he loved playing at Rangers...
"I there was anything I could turn the clock back to, it would be just getting off the aeroplane at Glasgow Airport and joining Glasgow Rangers Football Club. I would do those two years over and over again for the rest of my life" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group