WE WEREN'T SUPER PALLY; Headbanger Coisty rattled me admits Gazza.

Rowing Rangers goal aces Paul Gascoigne and Ally McCoist shocked millions of TV fans with a bitter bust-up during the Coke final yesterday.

They clashed in the first half, viciously mouthing off at each other before McCoist smacked his team- mate on the back of the head - an act that earned him a lecture from ref Hugh Dallas.

And the simmering stars exploded again in the dressing- room at half- time as Walter Smith's treble-chasing side went to war on each other.

But Parkhead matchwinner Gazza revealed that those rammies are the reason Rangers are the country's most successful team.

He said: "I said something to Ally and he wasn't happy and came over to me.

"There was also a lot said at half-time involving a lot of people.

"The gaffer was a happy man - not. The sparks were flying and I was copping it as well.

"Of all the clubs I've been with, Rangers have the most arguments at half- time. It's because we are full of guys who want to be winning at half- time and full-time and it's great to see that."

Gers skipper Richard Gough revealed the extent of the half-time bust- up - and pointed to record breaking striker Coisty as the MOST hyped-up battler.

McCoist shattered another record as he picked up his NINTH League Cup winner's medal - his double took him to 50 goals in the competition, past Gers legend Jim Forrest.

Gough said: "Our dressing-room was like a war zone at half-time. We were winning 2-1 but not playing well and plenty of things were said.

"But we're like that at this club. I've had one or two flashpoints in training - and Ally McCoist has been the man involved.

"He has the reputation of being a happy-go-lucky guy, but he has a depth of desire and hunger that got him two more cup final goals ."

Gascoigne's double paid back the first instalment of the debt he owes Rangers by winning the Coca-Cola Cup. Gazza feared he could have been kicked out after admitting beating his wife last month - but the club stood by him and he repaid them big-style by delivering the first trophy of the season.

Now Gascoigne believes he's getting his head sorted and recapturing the form that can drive Rangers towards the treble.

He said: "In the last few weeks I have been very nervous and have not been myself - you all know why.

"But I'm coming to terms with what happened, though my personal life is still private.

"The counselling IS helping and I can concentrate more on football, which is important.

"I'm delighted with my two goals. My first goal against Celtic was special for me but the first one today meant as much because Hearts were on a real high, having got back to 2-2."

Skipper Gough bows out at the end of this season but insists he wants the treble for Rangers. He said: "This isn't about Richard Gough. It's about Rangers trying to win every competition they enter."

Both Gough and Gazza heaped praise on battling Hearts.

Gough said: "They'll be sitting in their dressing-room wondering how they lost that match.

"Hearts had ALL the better players on the day - Weir, McCann and Cameron were outstanding.

"But the bottom line is that we won the trophy, even if we didn't play as well as we had hoped to on the day."

Gascoigne added: "A lot of teams would have folded after going two down to us so early, but they showed a lot of spirit and deserve credit."

Gers gaffer Smith said: "Paul's been under pressure for the past few weeks. I don't think ANYBODY who has watched him could say otherwise.

"But he scored two terrific goals today and his average of goals this season is very good for a midfielder.

"We needed him today and we got a performance from him.

"Ally McCoist also made another important contribution - but he can do that even when he's not fully fit.

"If you can get the ball to him inside the box he'll always get you a goal.

"His first was typical and the second goal was a real poacher's strike."

But Smith admitted the seven-goal thriller had shredded his nerves.

He said: "I imagine it was very good to watch - if you are not a manager!

"Jim Jefferies and I could complain about losing so many goals, but it all made it a great game.

"It took some of Paul Gascoigne's best tricks to get us out of a difficult situation because Hearts were by far the better team at the time."

German midfielder Jorg Albertz was delighted to pick up his first medal in Scotland.

He said: " I'm very happy to have won my first medal with Rangers and now I'm looking forward to the rest of the games.

"We started very well and went 2-0 up but Hearts also played very well.

"When they scored their second I thought `Oh, what's going on here?' But, thankfully, Gazza turned it round again. He was unbelievable.

"That's three times I've played at Parkhead and three times I've won so it's a good place to play for me."

Taken from the Daily Record