Uefa cup final blog: "What's Russian for we hate Fernando Ricksen?"

Ally McCoist last night sent a message of support to a stricken Paul Gascoigne and expressed his hope that the former Rangers and England midfielder is well enough to attend the UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday.

Gascoigne was admitted to The Priory rehabilitation clinic after an alleged suicide attempt in the bath of a London hotel two weeks ago. The 40-year-old, who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act in February, has battled drink and drug addictions since he retired from football four years ago and has recently been diagnosed as manic depressive.

McCoist revealed his former Ibrox team-mate was well enough to send a congratulatory text message immediately after Rangers secured their place in their first European final in 36 years in a dramatic penalty shootout win against Fiorentina.

"Every one of us is with him all the way and I pray to God that he heals because he needs to heal," said McCoist. "The rest of our boys feel the same and I am sure he will come through this and get better.

"Gazza was one of the first to text after Fiorentina just minutes after final whistle, which was absolutely fantastic, brilliant.

"I hope to God he can make the final because you know what he is like with those Rangers fans. He is an absolute legend. I take comfort from the fact he was in touch right after the semi-final which tells me he is maybe not as bad as is being made out."

Gascoigne was one of Walter Smith's most inspired and controversial signings. He joined from Lazio for £4.5m in 1995 and became an instant idol to the supporters, winning back his England place for Euro 96 in the process. He has since admitted the most enjoyable and contented period of his career was spent in Scotland, where he found a father figure in the Rangers manager.

McCoist believes even the sight of Gascoigne at the City of Manchester stadium would provide inspiration to the team and their 14,000 supporters. "The sight of Gascoigne in Manchester would give everyone a boost and you never know, it might give the boys an extra lift they need to win."

"Gascoigne is a football person. Of course, there is daftness as well. There was always a lot of fun in our team but no-one can ever say we never took our football seriously.

"He lives for football 24/7, like every one of that nine-in-a-row team did. Every team could do with a Gascoigne spark. We had it in the 1990s with him and Brian Laudrup but never reached this stage, so who's right and who's wrong?"