Gascoigne saw Shane Ferguson's promise

PAUL GASCOIGNE has tipped Shane Ferguson for further first team glory with Newcastle United – and admits he saw it coming TWO years ago.

In a fantastic endorsement for the young United star – who has just signed a new five-year contract with the Magpies – Gazza has recalled how he worked with Ferguson during a coaching stint alongside Peter Beardsley with the Newcastle Academy two years ago, and spotted his potential even then.

Ferguson has since broken into the first- team ranks and barely put a foot wrong last season with some fans even carrying enough confidence in the one time Northern Ireland inter-national to feel he could even replace Jose Enrique if he leaves this summer.

Gascoigne – who stunned the football world when he broke through United’s old youth system to take on the world with England – told the Chronicle: “I worked with Shane at the Academy a couple of years ago and it was obvious he had something different.

“He’s blessed with a lot of skill and raw ability and that’s something you don’t see too often from players coming through.

“That’s what really stuck out for me. It was a couple of years ago too and you could see then that he had a good chance of making it ahead of some of the others.

“I’m delighted that he has because there aren’t too many skilful players that get you off your seat like that.

“But he is one of them and he is at Newcastle, which is great.”

Gazza – who was part of the last Newcastle side to pick up the FA Youth Cup in 1985 – still has ambitions to pick up his coaching badges.

The Italia 90 superstar spent time last year working alongside former Newcastle striker Joe Allon on the Players Inc after-dinner circuit and attracted a big audience as he told of some of his career highlights.

Now he hopes that more young Geordies can break on to the big stage with the black and whites.

Gazza said: “It’s always great to see young players coming through at Newcastle – especially Geordie lads. When I was an apprentice it was a tough life – a lot tougher than it is now.

“Back then the likes of me and Joe Allon and Paul Stephenson would be cleaning boots, ironing kits and even cleaning the toilets!

“They have a great life now with the training facilities they’ve got, but you always want to see players coming through the ranks.”

Meanwhile Joe Allon will also be hosting a free event for Newcastle fans with Toon legend Tino Asprilla the guest of honour.

The event takes place at Greens Health and Fitness club on Monday June 6, with a 7pm start.

To be honest i think of late gazza sees a lot of things (if you know what i mean
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