The Middlesbrough star is being treated in a clinic for a drink and stress-related illness.

'Gazza wasn't boozing a lot' - Findlay tells Radio 5 Live

But Rangers vice-chairman Donald Findlay QC told BBC Radio 5 Live Gascoigne did not display alcoholic behaviour during his spell at Ibrox, which ended last spring.

And he denied that the Glasgow club had sold the midfielder because of his drinking.

"I don't get the impression he was boozing a lot," he told Nicky Campbell. Much of what Paul did was exaggerated.

"One of the big problems is the press followed him everywhere. You had to have sympathy for the man.

"He was one of those very few people who no matter which town he went to, in any country almost in the world, people knew who he was. He was never left alone.

"I don't think he was ever trained to cope with that kind of constant attention."

'It was a cold commercial deal'

Findlay said Rangers' decision to sell Gascoigne was to do with physical fitness and not psychological weaknesses.

Gazza's sale was shrewd business, Findlay tells Nicky Campbell (5 Live)

"It was necessary from our point of view," he said. "It was piece of commercial business.

"I think Gascoigne had done the best for us that he could. I don't think we were going to see the same Paul that we'd seen before. Everyone was sad to see him go.

"At the time he left us he had a number of injury problems. Middlesbrough came in with a huge offer and you have to look at it in cold commercial terms.