Football: Gascoigne says sorry to Rangers

Paul Gascoigne insists he will be back in blue before the end of the season - after issuing yet another public apology to Rangers. The England international has said sorry to Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, and supporters following his recent, much-publicised antics.

The 29-year-old also insists he is desperate to recover from an ankle injury in time to join in another party if Rangers win their ninth championship in a row. "I have 15 months left on my contract and it is the intention on both sides that I will see out that contract in full and hopefully Rangers will win 10 out of 10," Gascoigne said.

"So that there is no misunderstanding, I was given a fortnight off by the club and I was grateful to them at the time and I'm grateful to them now. If I have let them or the fans down in any way by the publicity they and I have received, then I apologise.

"I can assure everybody that I am working hard, that I will continue to work hard to get myself fit and be back in a blue shirt in time to be part of the team that carries off its ninth successive title."

Gascoigne watched from the stand on Saturday as Rangers lost at home to Kilmarnock. Paul Wright's late penalty clinched a 2-1 victory for Kilmarnock to boost their spirits in their fight to avoid relegation from Scotland's top flight.

However, it left Smith with further worries as his below-strength side missed an opportunity to put the championship further out of reach of Celtic.