Ally McCoist claims comparisons between Jack Grealish and Rangers legend Paul Gascoigne are unfair on the Aston Villa star as he labelled his mercurial former teammate 'the greatest player of his generation'.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder wowed fans and pundits alike with some superb flashes of individual flair during England's defeat to Belgium in the Nations League this week.
Goals from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens gave Roberto Martinez's side a 2-0 win but it was Grealish who everybody was talking about.
And Watford striker Troy Deeney's controversial comparison to Gazza provoked a strong reaction on social media as fans debated which maverick star is superior.
McCoist worked with the Geordie superstar during his time at Ibrox in the 1990s and it's clear the pundit reckons his old teammate was on another level - from anyone.
He said on talkSPORT: "Lets try and be fair to everybody here. I think Troy said he was the closest thing to Gascoigne England have. That's probably factually correct.
"But I think he's still a little bit away.
"I understand what Troy is saying, he's the one player you look to to provide something a little bit different - a pass, the ability to go by a man into open space. Yes, absolutley.
"I don't think Jack needs this comparison to be quite honest with you.
"England supporters are looking for something special, we all are, and Jack has the ability to go on and be something special but making the comparison with Gascoigne who was the greatest player of his generation...
"England have had some fantastic midfield players, Steven Gerrard, Scholes and all these guys but Gascoigne had something different.
"I think it's probably a little unfair to make comparisons and he's probably sitting there going 'Oh no, anybody. Anybody but Gascoigne.' He doesn't need it.
"It's certainly a compliment but from where I'm sitting he has a long way to go before he becomes a Gascoigne and I love Grealish and you know that."
