Paul Gascoigne reveals how Manchester United icon Eric Cantona had say in Rangers transfer

Paul Gascoigne has revealed how Eric Cantona played a role in his move to Rangers.

Walter Smith played a blinder by enticing Gazza to Ibrox almost 30 years ago in what was a shock £4.3million move from Lazio in 1995. The England man had been a World Cup superstar just a few years earlier and was still a bonafide legend in the game despite injuries hampering his career towards the end.

Despite the midfielder's issues, Sir Alex Ferguson was also still a major admirer of his talents and the then-Manchester United boss made a call to tell Gazza of his desires to sign him. But it all hinged on Cantona's future plans and whether or not he wished to leave Old Trafford at the time having been suspended nine months for a madcap kung-fu kick of a supporter.

Remembering the move to Glasgow and the sliding doors moment with the Red Devils, Gazza - speaking as a guest on The Rest Is Football podcast - recalled: "When I was leaving Lazio I did have the chance (to join United),” said Gascoigne.

"I remember ringing 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.

“Lazio it had come to the latter years and I was miserable and sad and I had an injury and I had to get that over. 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 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 (against Scotland at Euro 96) was phenomenal, it was a brilliant feeling. That year was fantastic for me.”