FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Former England stars and team-mates of Paul Gascoigne on Monday reacted with shock to the news that the troubled England midfielder had been axed from the squad for the World Cup finals.
Gascoigne, widely regarded as the most talented English player of his generation, returned to England in tears after being told by coach Glenn Hoddle that he would be taking no part in France ‘98. His omission almost certainly marks the end of an international career which has been dogged by injury and scandal since he made his debut against Denmark at Wembley in 1988.
Former Rangers star Trevor Steven, a veteran of two World Cup campaigns, believes the highly-strung Middlesbrough midfielder may never recover from the blow of being dropped. Steven, who played alongside ‘Gazza’ for Rangers and for England, was one of many left stunned by Hoddle’s decision to leave the former Newcastle, Tottenham and Lazio star at home. “I don’t agree with Glenn’s decision at all, and I can’t see that his fitness can be used as a major influence for leaving him out,” he said. “There are other players who are equally unfit who are going to France.” Paul will be devastated and it will take a lot of getting over for him, something perhaps he will never get over. “World Cups are the pinnacles of anyone’s career and although Paul has already had one bash at it in 1990, I am sure he felt this was going to be his last stand on the world stage. “ It would also have given him an opportunity to right a few wrongs said about him over a period of time.”
Steven also insisted that Gascoigne’s omission left a gaping hole in creative talent that could harm England’s chances of progressing to the latter stages of the competition. He added: “I think Paul offers something that no-one else can in the squad, and that is the ability to hold the ball in that central area.” My worry is that we are not going to get enough of the ball in the World Cup and ‘Gazza’ was the only answer to the creative problem that is going to develop over the tournament.”
The official word from the England camp was that Gascoigne was dropped for “purely football and fitness reasons.” But Middlesbrough manager and former England captain Bryan Robson believes Gascoigne’s much publicised drinking binges may also have influenced Hoddle’s decision. Gascoigne was recently photographed in a London kebab shop after a night out with celebrity friends, rock star Rod Stewart and DJ Chris Evans.
“It could have something to do with the kebab incident and other things – some of the media have got what they wanted,” said Robson. Robson said he did not know the reason why Gascoigne had been left out. “Only Glenn can tell you. I don’t know the answer. It can’t be on ability. Maybe it has something to do with what happened in the last game against Belgium. They kicked him all the time he was on the pitch. It was murder and I can’t understand what the ref was doing.” Gazza got an injury and maybe that affected Glenn’s thinking. Robson believes England have no-one to replace Gascoigne. “There’s nobody who can take his place. The only one who could step in is David Beckham. He’s the only one who can pass the ball and has Gazza’s vision but he can’t do it anywhere near as consistently,” added Robson. Former England star Chris Waddle believes dropping Gascoigne would have been one of the hardest decisions Hoddle has had to make. Waddle, a former England team-mate of Gascoigne, said the midfielder will be distraught about his omission. “Paul will be devastated. He lives for his football and he still believed he had it in him to turn it on in France,” said Waddle. “Clearly he’s had his problems but on his day he is still a player with genuine quality who could have helped us do well. However, clearly the England coach can’t take a risk with his fitness and no-one will be more hurt by having to make this decision than Glenn Hoddle himself.” Hoddle has always supported Gazza when the going’s got tough, so it must have been a terrible decision for him to have to make. I feel for him as well.”