Former Scotland boss Tommy Docherty hailed Glenn Hoddle's decision to axe Paul Gascoigne from the England squad. "It's the right decision, but what has amazed me is that England have carried him for so long," Docherty said.

"His attitude has been wrong and his behaviour over several years has to be questioned. England need a fit Gazza, but from what we've seen recently that is clearly not going to happen.

"Hoddle should have dumped him a while ago. He's maybe regretting leaving out Le Tissier now, and Ray Parlour."

Former Everton, Rangers and England defender Gary Stevens, who played with Gascoigne during the 1990 World Cup campaign, believes Gazza should take some of the blame for Hoddle's final decision.

"I am surprised," Stevens said. "He has had some bad press lately, but I feel there should be room for him in a squad of 22 no matter what happens.

"A player of Gascoigne's skill should be there - especially with Glenn Hoddle's belief in technique. It is very surprising.

"But we haven't been given a reason yet but I certainly feel Gazza should be in France.

"He is a very emotional guy. His life is like a rollercoaster emotionally. And this will be a real bodyblow to him.

"Who knows how he will react? He has got to take on board the criticism he has had.

"But he has not set the best example to the world at large."

Trevor Steven, who played alongside Gascoigne for England and Rangers, said the midfielder would be completely shattered by the news.

Steven said: "He will not take this lightly. Knowing Paul he will be very devastated by the news.

"I just feel very disappointed for Paul. I think the way Glenn Hoddle plays he needs someone of a different nature.

"There's still two and a half weeks before kick-off. Paul has something that nobody else can offer the team and I would have just given him that time.

"As an England fan I would have loved to have seen him do well. But the decision has been made and I think our squad is poorer for the lack of Paul Gascoigne," he said.

World Cup winner Roger Hunt believes that an England side without Paul Gascoigne will not repeat the nation's 1966 performance of lifting the World Cup.

Former Anfield legend Hunt said: "Without Gascoigne life will be extremely hard for the boys because he is such a focal point. They haven't been that impressive lately but they do need a fit Gascoigne to give them that extra cutting edge.

"Until we know the real reason for Gascoigne's omission there is very little we can say, but I am sure there is a good reason behind this."

Sir Stanley Matthews was not surprised by Hoddle's decision to axe Gascoigne. Sir Stanley claimed Hoddle must stick by the men in form and that did not include the Middlesbrough midfielder.

"It doesn't surprise me because he has not been the same player he was two years ago," said Sir Stanley.

"He has been missing from the first team at Rangers through injuries and since he has been at Middlesbrough he has not played all that well."

Former England team-mate Chris Waddle had an idea of how upset his Geordie pal Gascoigne will be. Waddle, who starred alongside Gascoigne in the 1990 World Cup, said: "Paul will be devastated. He lives for his football and he still believed he had it in him to turn it on in France.

"Clearly he's had his problems, but on his day he is still a player with genuine quality who could have helped us do well. However, clearly the England coach can't take a risk with his fitness and no one will be more hurt by having to make this decision than Glenn Hoddle himself."

Gary Mabbutt, Gascoigne's former team-mate at Tottenham and a fellow England international, admitted: "I'm amazed Gazza has been left out. All the signs have been that Hoddle has been backing him and now to suddenly ditch him seems to make no sense.

"I'm still struggling to realise this is true. Glenn's a very strong-willed person and he's obviously got his reasons for thinking Gazza is not up to it."