I would have thought Gazza's salary was well outwith our budget for this season, but obviously the Dundee board think otherwise, and they're the ones who know. If money is all Paul's interested in, I wouldn't reckon we've got a snowball's chance in Hell of meeting his salary. If, on the other hand, he relishes the chance to get a foot in the door of coaching it might just be possible he would accept a more reasonable offer.
As well as the financial implications such a signing would involve, I ask myself whether Jim Duffy could work with Gazza as his right hand man? Jim, a teetotal non smoker, a bit of a disciplinarian and greatly experienced in working with young players.
Gazza's drinking exploits we are all aware of and he was being treated for this within the last year. He also suffers from depression. Assuming part of his role would involve working with the up and coming younger players at Dens is this the kind of example Jim Duffy would want the youngsters to follow? Or is this decision made above Jim's head? Answers to the latter two would be interesting to hear.
He has never been known as one to accept strick discipline and he has shown himself throughout his career to be prone to reckless actions such as pretending to play a flute to the Celtic fans. Gazza was always his own man.
On the positive side he was a quality player we often loved to hate when he pulled on the jersey of England, none more than his magnificent goal in the Euro Championships against Scotland. I must admit I find it interesting to think that when opposition fans are calling him all the English bastas I'll have to turn round and boo their terrible examples of racist and unsportsmanship behaviour.
There is no doubt in my mind he would put Dundee back in the limelight, if in fact we've ever been out of it for reasons good and bad. The English media would flock here to see Gazza in action, BBC Scotland would want to show more Dundee game whereas if he doesn't come they might not be so keen. More importantly he might add a fair old number on to the crowd.
I have to admit it's exciting that my team are after a former world class player who at 35 must still have something to offer in the SPL as Caniggia and Ketsbaia did, and it's good to see the Marr's still chasing after rainbows.
But I have to be honest and say I don't see this working. He lacks any experience in coaching and he'd have to change his lifestyle and tighten up on self discipline and accept the Manager as boss. In the end, though, who knows, if he did accept the deal this editor would be prepared to change his mind if proved wrong. And would be more than delighted if I had to do so.