Paul Gascoigne 'close to tears' after watching Jamie Vardy's goal against Liverpool

The Leicester City striker looked up to the former England international as a youngster

Former England international Paul Gascoigne (Getty Images)

Paul Gascoigne has revealed that the goalscoring exploits of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy this season have almost brought him to tears.

The former England international met Vardy last Sunday at his own ‘Up Close and Personal’ event in Leicester and spoke with the 28-year-old, who used to look up to Gascoigne as a player.

A few days later, in a midweek game against Liverpool, Vardy broke the deadlock with a Gascoigne-esque goal-of-the-season contender that left his famously lachrymose idol fighting back the waterworks.

"I inspired Jamie,” Gascogine said, according to The Sun. “I told him to keep scoring.

"I was close to tears watching that goal as it reminded me of the goals I used to score. It takes a special player to pull that off.”

Vardy, a former Fleetwood Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels player, has been in exceptional form this season and played an integral part in Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes rise to the Premier League summit.

Leicester went five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with 13 games remaining after their brilliant 3-1 victory at Manchester City on Saturday.

"If Leicester win the league I will be back to the city to visit the legend that is Jamie Vardy," promised Gascoigne.

Vardy and his team-mates face another major test this weekend as they travel to face fellow title challengers Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.