Paul Gascoigne has revealed he feared being gunned down on the Ibrox pitch after receiving an IRA death threat for pretending to play the flute.
The Rangers legend said he used to scan the crowd at matches to look for anyone pointing a gun at him following the controversy.
Gazza pretended to play the instrument like an Orange Order flute band member while playing for the Ibrox side in a pre-season friendly in 1995. He then repeated the gesture in 1998 in an Old Firm clash with Celtic.
The second incident led to the former England midfielder receiving a death threat which was investigated by police.
Gascoigne, 53, said he later received a letter from the man who sent the threat saying he was in the clear.
He said: “The guy left his name, number, house address, the lot and said he was going to kill me.
“The police came and then went and saw him. They said they weren’t going to do anything about it until he came into our country and they weren’t going to hang about the airport.
“I was told to check under my car for bombs and they told me to be careful with my mail because it could explode in my face.
“When I used to play I used to look in the crowd to see if anyone had a gun. It went on for a few months. I was really panicking.
“I then got a letter back from him saying ‘You’ve not done it for a while, I’ll let you go now.’ I could relax then.”
Gascoigne, who also played for Tottenham, Newcastle and Lazio, has struggled with alcohol addiction for many years. Speaking on James English’s Anything Goes podcast, he said he was still attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and speaking to a counsellor.
He added: “I know I’m happier when I’m not drinking. I can sometimes be a sad drunk.
“But I’m just enjoying life again. Last year, not just me but the whole country was struggling with regards work but I’ve got work coming back.
“I’m just staying on the right track and just enjoying the work that is ahead of me.”
