Former Celtic attacking midfielder Kris Commons has hit out with stinging criticism of Scottish football for the treatment of Rangers icon Paul Gascoigne over the last week.
The troubled Ibrox legend’s nomination for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame was withdrawn after reports that the SFA board would boycott his induction, which was to be voted on by fans and industry experts.
His mental health problems have been well documented and many feel the whole situation was very poorly handled, not least Kris Commons.
Writing for The Daily Mail, the former Scotland international said:
A human being who has battled depression, alcoholism and suicidal thoughts for the majority of his adult life was publicly humiliated last Thursday, just 24 hours after World Mental Health Day.
The fact that it was a high-profile footballer is irrelevant. The basic human element in what Paul Gascoigne has been subjected to over the past week is appalling.
The timing of the decision to withdraw Gascoigne’s nomination into the Hall of Fame actually made me think: ‘Is this some kind of sick joke?’
Going on to write about how he idolised Gazza as a player when he was younger, Commons has left no-one in any doubt what his feelings are about the whole debacle.
It’s refreshing to hear a Scottish football personality speak so openly about the subject, with many north of the border stating silent on the whole debacle.
His thoughts ring especially true given his Celtic affiliations, Commons has not great love for Rangers after all.