MIDDLESBROUGH manager Bryan Robson yesterday predicted that, while he is expecting ''some grief'' from his new signing, soccer clown prince Paul Gascoigne, the England midfielder will still be worth every penny of his #3.45m transfer fee.

The player will appear at a press conference at the Riverside Stadium as part of Middlesbrough's Coca-Cola Cup final press day at lunchtime today, when the Teesside club hope to announce that Gascoigne has passed yesterday's medical to complete the deal that will end his often controversial career with Rangers.

Robson said: ''There will be certain people looking for knocking stories. But these incidents are few and far between these days.

''I am sure Gazza will give me a little bit of grief from time to time, but it will be worth it. It is the media who expect trouble, not me. I believe Gascoigne will respect me as a manager and I will respect him as a player.''

Robson insists that Gascoigne has now matured and he will be looking to the midfielder to inspire his younger players. ''When a player reaches the age of 30, he becomes aware of the fact that he is in the second part of his career,'' he said.

''He wants to work hard to make sure that he plays on as long as possible. Gazza loves his football and our fans will love him.

''Paul likes a few pints now and again, but he is one of the hardest trainers I have ever worked with. The other players will see how hard he works and it will be a big influence.''

Gascoigne, who will return to Ibrox next month in a testimonial for Rangers' veteran midfielder, Ian Durrant, told Virgin Radio: ''Leaving Rangers was one of the saddest days in my career, but now I'm looking forward to my new challenge.

''I have the chance to work with Bryan Robson, who was my idol when he used to play. Yet I'm sad to be leaving Rangers, especially as I never had the chance to say goodbye to the guys.

''But hopefully I can, as Ian Durrant has a testimonial coming up, and I would like to say goodbye to the fans properly.''

Should he pass the medical, Gascoigne, who arrived at Boro's training ground yesterday morning along with friend Jimmy 'Five Bellies' Gardiner, will be named in Middlesbrough's squad for the Coca-Cola Cup final against Chelsea against Wembley on Sunday.

While some Middlesbrough fans feared Gascoigne might prove as expensively disruptive influence as Fabrizio Ravanelli was before him, former Middlesbrough striker Bernie Slaven predicted that he would prove a match winner against the Londoners. ''When Gascoigne is fit, there isn't a better player in the country,'' said the Scot.

Former Rangers and England internationalist Terry Butcher thought the move would not be as good news for the Ibrox club. ''I think that Gazza going will be the end of their last hope of winning the title,'' said the Raith Rovers coach, who suggested also that moving closer to his roots would help Gascoigne settle down off the park as he believes the player suffered from loneliness in Scotland.

qVinnie Jones brought down the curtain on an era yesterday as he became the last member of the original Crazy Gang to leave Wimbledon by joining QPR as player-coach in a #500,000 deal.

Jones agreed to sign a three-and-a-half year contract, subject to a medical, to work alongside QPR manager Ray Harford, himself a former Wimbledon manager, to revitalise the first division strugglers. The midfield hardman was the founder member of the Crazy Gang spirit that, along with the direct, long-ball game that became synonymous with the club, marked Wimbledon apart and enabled them on megre resources to become as successful as many of their bigger rivals.