Scotland internationalist Darren Jackson spoke last night of his deep disappointment over how his close friend, Paul Gascoigne, had been ditched from Glenn Hoddle's World Cup squad.

Jackson and Gascoigne have been pals since they played together at Newcastle as teenagers, and have kept in close contact ever since.

Last night Jackson said he had been shocked to find out that his friend would not be going to the World Cup and believed despite the setback he had a number of good footballing years left in him.

Jackson and Gascoigne are similar characters on the pitch, being a bit fiery and perhaps over-reacting at times. But they are attitudes born out of a strong will to win.

However, their season in the run-up to the World Cup could not have been different, with Gascoigne, first at Rangers then at Middlesbrough, always expected to be part of Hoddle's plans only to be denied at the eleventh hour.

Jackson had a horrific start to the season blighted by the need to have surgery to relieve pressure on the brain which was followed by a spell on the Celtic substitutes' bench, both factors which put his Scotland place in doubt.

However, he has bounced back and had a successful tour to America with Scotland with his good form giving him a realistic chance of starting the opening game of the World Cup finals against Brazil, although competition will be fierce from Kevin Gallacher and Gordon Durie.

While happy with his own form which seemed to have peaked at the right time, Jackson still had words of support for his friend Gascoigne who Hoddle believes has lost his form at the wrong time.

Jackson, who was seated next to DJs Chris Evans and Danny Baker at Gascoigne's wedding, said he had expected the names of his friend and that of Newcastle striker Alan Shearer to be the first two on Hoddle's team sheet for France.

Answering suggestions that Gascoigne was not as fit as he should be, Jackson said he felt the midfield man was fitter than people thought.

''Paul is a natural talent whose skill can turn games,'' said Jackson. ''I would compare his style to that of Paolo di Canio when he was with Celtic. He had that bit of magic and all-round ability which meant he could win games with great pieces of skill with only a few minutes left in a game.

''It's not for me to comment on Hoddle's decision not to take him to the World Cup but I believe he had so much skill to offer that the finals in France would be the perfect stage for him to show what he can do.

''I haven't spoken to Paul for a few weeks as he was away with England and I was away with Scotland so I don't know how he is feeling. However, I know how I would have been very disappointed if I hadn't made the Scottish squad for the World Cup and in my case, I haven't played the whole season and am not as big a name as Gazza.

''Despite missing out on the world cup I believe Paul has a number of good seasons left in him yet and Bryan Robson would certainly not have bought him for Middlesbrough if he didn't feel that as well.''

As for his inclusion in Scotland's World Cup squad Jackson said he had been happy with his performances in the games against Colombia and the USA although he was unhappy not to get on the scoresheet in either game.

He conceded that after a season which included the brain operation and and a period out of the Celtic starting line-up he was delighted to be in Craig Brown's 22-man squad which flies out on Friday.

''I went to the European Championships with Scotland but did not play and I wouldn't want that to happen again.

''The highlight for me in my club career was lifting the championship with Celtic. That was a great feeling at the end of a long, hard season. Despite all the emotion surrounding the league win, I feel mentally and physically in good shape with the World Cup approaching.

''Every player wants to play in the World Cup and the tournament is something I am looking forward to and really want to be part of.

''Certainly at 31 years old I realise the chance may not come round again to play in the World Cup and I want to make the most if it this time.''

It was Jackson's performance in the first 45 minutes against Colombia where he was involved in the build-up to both Scotland goals which first gave him a realistic chance of winning a place in the line-up for the first game against Brazil.

''I was happy with the way thing went in the States but I was disappointed that I didn't get my name of the scoresheet.

''Because of the heat in the game against America it was really hard work but there were a lot of good performances and against the Colombians everybody played well.

''The games in America were a positive experience for the team and put us in a good frame of mind for the World Cup.''