Ronald de Boer remembers Paul Gascoigne adding a splash of technicolour to Scottish football.
But the Dutchman reckons it was the red flashed at the Ibrox legend on Rangers’ last trip to Amsterdam that paved the way for a crushing Ajax win. De Boer spent four years in Glasgow but was still one of the biggest stars in Louis van Gaal’s Champions League-winning Ajax side when the Light Blues last visited the Netherland’s capital back in 1996.
Rangers would finish the season on a high as they completed their quest for nine titles in a row but that night proved to be a disaster for Walter Smith’s men, with Gazza sent-off for an off-the-ball clash with Winston Bogarde as the Scots were hammered 4-1 .And de Boer remembers the wheels really coming off for Rangers once Gascoigne got his marching orders. Looking back, the ex-Gers hero said: “Paul Gascoigne played for Rangers at the time. He was considered one of the greatest players England ever produced. A legendary player.
“I remember he got a red card after 28 minutes. He crossed the line with Winston Bogarde. He kicked after and had to go to the locker room. I thought that was a shame, because Gascoigne gave serious colour to English football. And because of his time in Glasgow also to Scottish football.
“He is an incredible hero at Rangers and he scored some really great goals. He was also there when Rangers became champions for the ninth consecutive time. So yeah, that red card was a shame. His appearance and career were actually already on a slippery slope. Such a shame."
Portuguese youngster Dani got the ball rolling for the hosts with a clinical double before Tijjani Babangida and Nordin Wooter put the game to bed ahead of a late Ian Durrant consolation effort. De Boer - speaking to ajaxlife.nl - added: “Brian Laudrup and Peter van Vossen also played for Rangers. As a substitute, Van Vossen also got a good scoring opportunity.
“The Scots had a good team, but we were just better that night. Although that was also due to the early red card for Gascoigne of course.”
De Boer will be at the Johan Cryuff Arena on Wednesday night to see if Rangers can do any better against his other old side. And he’s looking forward to his return to Glasgow in November for the final game in Group A.
“I'm definitely there, both at home and away,” he said. “Of course I have a history with both clubs. I experienced wonderful things in both Amsterdam and Glasgow.
“For me, Ibrox is still coming home. It feels like a hot shower. As a former player you still get so much respect from the people there. I am really looking forward to the upcoming matches.”
