Paul Gascoigne's genius payback prank on Ally McCoist at Rangers left him fuming

Daily Record

21-07-2025

Rangers legend Paul Gascoigne is a hero at Ibrox, and fans have been left worried after news emerged he had been rushed to intensive care over the weekend, having been discovered collapsed in his home
Paul Gascoigne once sent Ally McCoist around the bend with a hilarious prank meant as payback for not coming out for a drink back when they were team-mates at Ibrox.
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The Rangers legend, adored by fans of the club he used to play for, is currently recovering in hospital after being rushed to intensive care on Friday night. Gascoigne was found collapsed at his home by a friend, and is said to now be in a stable condition after being moved to an acute medical unit.
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The 58-year-old was reportedly found in a semi-conscious state in his bathroom at his home in Poole, Dorset, before emergency services rushed him to intensive care. Rangers fans and wider football supporters have sent their best wishes to the Ibrox legend, who was well-known for his cheeky antics at the club.
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One such moment was when he got one back on fellow Gers icon McCoist, after the fresh-faced striker decided to bin off coming for a drink with the famous 'Gazza'.
Not one to be fooled, Gascoigne told Esports Insider about a time when he landed his team-mate with extra responsibility in the shape of some new furry friends.
The former footballer recalled the hilarious prank as he said: "He didn't turn up for a drink with us one night. And I went mad and I rang him up and said, 'What time do the kids finish school?' He said, '15:30, why?' I said, 'I'm just curious'."
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Gascoigne then decided to treat McCoist's children, who were a lot younger at the time, to some new friends to keep – much to Ally's immediate frustration.
He added: "So it was 15:20. I went to a pet shop where we lived, and I bought two budgies in a cage.
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"Two goldfish and then a rabbit and a rabbit hutch. I left them outside his door at 15:29. So he rings me up and called me a b******, I said 'What's wrong?' He said his kids had rang him up and thanked him for the new pets!"
This cheeky prank was just one of many gaffes Gascoigne enjoyed during his three-year spell in Glasgow, where he was known for his flair on the pitch and unpredictable antics off of it.
He has long been a fan favourite in Govan. In his debut season at the club, he played an instrumental part in securing Rangers' eighth consecutive league title, including netting a stunning hat-trick against Aberdeen to seal the trophy.
In his first season in blue, Gascoigne was named both PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year.
He went on to lift multiple honours with Rangers before departing for Middlesbrough in 1998.