Rangers star Gazza reveals he made stranger's Christmas by answering her SOS call

Rangers legend Paul Gascoigne has told how he once made a woman's Christmas after answering the stranger's SOS call. 

The 58-year-old received a letter from the unnamed woman asking for money.

And the big-hearted Englishman was only too happy to oblige, sending her a wad of cash back in the post.

The retired midfielder, who scored a famous goal against Scotland at Wembley during Euro 96, only had one condition for the woman - that she send him back a picture.

And Gazza, who played at Ibrox between 1995 and 1998 after transferring from Italian side Lazio, was delighted when he received a snap of her and her dog enjoying the festivities.

The picture was snapped as they tucked into a huge turkey on Christmas Day - with the dog wearing a Christmas hat.

The ex-Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur playmaker revealed the selfless gesture in a video posted online.

He said: "Years ago there was a woman who sent us a letter. 

"She was from Norwich, miles away from where I lived. 

"She went, 'Paul, can you help us out? I've got no money for Christmas'.

"So I put money, 800 quid, in an envelope and sent it to her.

"I said, 'all you've got to do is send me a photo back'.

"She sent a photo back of her and the dog at the Christmas table, with the dog wearing a hat and a big turkey.

"She said thanks, Paul."

The video was posted on the Facebook page of Firma Stella Sports Memorabilia.

Gascoigne is wearing one of the sports memorabilia company's hoodies in the video.

The video divided viewers, with some praising him and others criticising the gesture.

One said: "Tremendous Gesture. And Kind Hearted. You Are From Glasgow."

Another said, "Well done Paul Gascoigne", while a third wrote, "What a bloke!!".

One critic said: "Thought you’d remember that."

Another added: "Good on him but why Big note by saying the amount."

And a third said: "Well done but wow stop telling these self validation stories! Yawn!"

Others blasted Gazza, who also played with Middlesbrough and Everton, as a "wife beater", following his conduct during his marriage with ex-wife, Sheryl.

Gazza, who retired in 2004 after spells with Burnley, Boston United and Chinese side Gansu Tianma, recently addressed his conduct.

In his book, Eight, which was released in October this year, he wrote: "Just three months into our marriage, in October 1996, the disharmony between us erupted into a terrible episode I will regret for the rest of my life.

"We were on a break at The Gleneagles Hotel close to Perth with the kids.

"I started to argue with Sheryl over something stupid while we were in the restaurant.

"She went upstairs to the room, and I followed her there and put my head against hers.

"Instinctively, I pushed her away from me, throwing her to the floor.

"'F*** off', I told her. As she landed she hurt her hand, and cried out in agony.

"I knew I'd truly messed up and once she'd calmed down, I left - there was nothing left for me to do or say."

The incident was reported in the press, with Sheryl pictured while recovering.

Gazza wrote: "A few days later, the headline on the Daily Mirror's front page read 'GAZZA BEATS SHERYL BLACK AND BLUE,' and there were pictures of Sheryl outside the hotel, with her arm in a sling.

"It’s only fair I mention that Sheryl’s recollection of what happened is very different from my own.

"Regardless, I will always be sorry for the pain I caused Sheryl that night, and I am sure a lot of people will believe I fully deserved what happened next."