Brian Laudrup Heaps Praise on Former Rangers Teammate Paul Gascoigne
According to an interview with Give Me Sport, Danish football icon Brian Laudrup has spoken highly of his former Rangers teammate Paul Gascoigne, describing him as "one of the best players in the world" during his prime. Laudrup, who played alongside Gascoigne at Rangers from 1995 to 1998, believes that the Englishman’s exceptional skill and technique made him virtually untouchable on the pitch.
Laudrup, a decorated midfielder who won Euro 1992 with Denmark and enjoyed successful spells with AC Milan, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, had the opportunity to play with some of the greatest players of his generation, including Peter Schmeichel, Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Gabriel Batistuta, and Gianfranco Zola. However, he reserves special praise for Gascoigne, stating: "I played with him at Rangers and in his prime he was one of the best players in the world. He glided with the ball in a way that made him virtually untouchable for opponents and he was a match-winner, who had great technique when striking the ball. He was also a great entertainer – on and off the pitch! A tremendous natural talent."
The two players had a successful spell together at Rangers, winning back-to-back league titles in 1996 and 1997, as well as the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup. Despite only playing together for 36 games and 2,234 minutes, their partnership yielded an impressive four trophies. Laudrup and Gascoigne’s time together at Ibrox is still fondly remembered by Rangers fans, who were privileged to see two of the most talented players of the 1990s share the pitch.
Laudrup’s admiration for Gascoigne is reciprocated, with the Englishman previously praising the Dane’s exceptional skill. As quoted by When Saturday Comes, Gascoigne described Laudrup as "an amazing player," adding: "In training, even if you knew exactly what Brian was about to do, you still couldn’t stop him." This mutual respect and admiration for one another’s abilities is a testament to the high regard in which they held each other.
The partnership between Laudrup and Gascoigne at Rangers may have been short-lived, but it left a lasting impact on the Scottish club. Both players went on to have successful careers, with Laudrup joining Chelsea in 1998 and Gascoigne moving to Middlesbrough. Despite their eventual departures, their time together at Rangers remains a highlight of their careers.
In reflecting on his time with Gascoigne, Laudrup highlights the Englishman’s unique ability to glide past opponents with ease, describing him as a "match-winner" with exceptional technique. This praise is echoed by Give Me Sport, which has provided insight into the careers of these two footballing legends.
Laudrup’s comments on Gascoigne are a reminder of the exceptional talent that the Englishman possessed, and his praise for his former teammate is a testament to the high regard in which he holds him. As reported by Give Me Sport, Laudrup’s comments provide a fascinating glimpse into the career of one of the most talented players of the 1990s.
Stats via Transfermarkt.
