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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Smith

Paul Gascoigne makes emotional Tottenham return in Legends match at new stadium

Paul Gascoigne has made his emotional return to Tottenham.

'Gazza' was named on the bench at the new Tottenham Stadium for Spurs Legends' clash with Inter Milan.

Also included in the second test event at Spurs' new home is Darren Anderton, Jurgen Klinsmann, Robbie Keane, David Ginola and Dimitar Berbatov.

Gascoigne enjoyed some of his most successful days in England at Spurs after joining from boyhood club Newcastle for a then-British record of £2.2million in 1988.

He played 112 times for the north London club and netted 33 times during a happy four years at White Hart Lane.

Gascoigne helped Spurs finish sixth in his first year before third 12 months later.

Gascoigne will start on the bench (Tottenham Hotspur/Twitter)

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But it was his third season where he enjoyed his greatest season - as he won the FA Cup and ended up the joint-top scorer with Gary Lineker.

In the FA Cup final, against Nottingham Forest, Gascoigne tore his cruciate ligaments during a challenge with Gary Charles - which ended his time at Spurs, after missing the entire 1991-92 campaign.

Gascoigne then moved to Lazio for £5.5million.

He has been building up to the big day in a series of social media posts.

Gascoigne poses with Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur/Twitter)
Gascoigne with van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur/Twitter)

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On Wednesday he posted a video clip of him going for a run along with the message: “Nice morning run, just gym & nine-a-side tonight ready for the big game Saturday xxxx LOVE GAZZA xxxx.”

Later that evening he added: “Brilliant. Loved putting my boots on again tonight. Can’t wait for Saturday I feel a goal coming up. Ha, I can hear the fans already x Love from GAZZA xxxx.”

Gascoigne, who retired in 2004 after a spell at Boston United, has battled mental illnesses and problems with addiction.

The England hero told talkSPORT about the clash earlier this week: “I’m available for selection if Gary Mabbutt wants to pick me, haha!

Gascoigne will be among the first players to star at Tottenham's new stadium (Action Images via Reuters)

“I can’t wait for the game, I’m buzzing for it. I’m so exciting and it’ll be such a great buzz to see the fans again.

“I’m a bit nervous, believe it or not, because everyone wants me to play the way I used to play, but I’m getting on a bit!

“But I’ve been doing a lot of training with Shane, my manager. I’ve been playing 9-a-side, I’ve been on a bike and I’m just enjoying life.

“Who knows, if I play well Gareth Southgate might give us a shout!

“I honestly cannot wait. The new stadium looks amazing, doesn’t it? Wow, almighty.”

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