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5 months ago
17
Paul Gascoigne left Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer in hysterics as he opened up on taking an ostrich to Tottenham's training ground.
The England legend was the BBC pundits' latest guest on the The Rest Is Football podcast, and detailed a number of memories and stories from his playing days.
Gascoigne, now 57, was known for being a maverick during his career, which saw him feature for the likes of Newcastle and Everton in England's top division, as well as teams such as Lazio in Italy.
It was during his time in north London, however, that one intriguing story was formed, with the midfielder taking a live zoo creature to the club's training ground.
Speaking to Lineker, Shearer and Micah Richards, the former midfielder opened up on why the ordeal took place, and how he had to finish training a little later the normal afterwards.
Gary Lineker (L) and Alan Shearer (R) were unable to control their laughter following a story from Paul Gascoigne
The England icon opened up on how he took an ostrich to training while playing for Tottenham
He said he wanted to impress his team-mates with the animal, which he spent hours catching
'The lads said I was boring and I'm not,' Gascoigne began. 'So as I'm passing the zoo, I thought, right, that's what I'm going to do.
'I went into the zoo and asked them to borrow an ostrich. I remember I put my No 8 shirt on it, and put it in the back of the car. It's so funny, as I'm driving to the training ground, someone stopped to the door and put his thumbs up and I thought, "Wow, I'm famous, I'm recognised". I forgot it's the ostrich he's laughing at in the back of the car.
'I just remember when the lads were warming up, I threw the ostrich onto the training pitch. "Gaffer, I've got a player for you, he's quick as f***".
'The lads finished training at 12:30. You ever tried catching an ostrich?'
Lineker and Shearer were unable to hold back their laughter, with Richards taking a more responsible approach, adding: 'Can we just say that no ostriches were hurt in this podcast.'
Paul Stewart, Gascoigne's former team-mate and mentor, also told the story in his book, 'Our Gazza: The Untold Tales.'
According to the book, Gascoigne's claim of taking the animal from Broxbourne Zoo was never able to be verified.
Gascoigne went onto reveal how he was approached in his car due to the ostrich in the back
Gascoigne was the latest guest on The Rest Is Football alongside former team-mate Lineker
'Every day he would be up to something, causing havoc with his jokes,' Stewart also added. 'One day, while Venners [manager Terry Venables] was taking training, all the players were on the pitch in a circle around the halfway line.
'Gazza was late. As always, the boss was asking me where he was, like I was his minder.
'Just as I was about to make an excuse, Gazza turned up with someone alongside him, carrying a brown sack.
'The sack was moving as if something was in it, and just as Venners was about to rollick Gazza for being late, the bag was opened and an ostrich ran out wearing a Spurs shirt.'
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