PAUL GASCOIGNE'S debut season at Rangers was crowned last night when he was named Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.

Gascoigne also landed the Goal of the Season award for his effort against Hibernian during Rangers 7-0 victory at Ibrox on December 30th.

It was a satisfying coronation for the England midfielder, so often labelled a clown prince by his critics, and last night he hailed Rangers manager Walter Smith as the man who tossed him a lifeline to save his floundering football career.

Yesterday was pay-back time for Smith as Gascoigne delivered a hat-trick against Aberdeen, who Rangers beat 3-1, to land their eighth successive Scottish title.

Brian Irvine's 19th minute goal for Aberdeen stunned Ibrox and must have offered Celtic hope - until mercurial maverick Gascoigne intervened to set up a title party.

Now Rangers can go on to claim a league and cup double if they beat Hearts at Hampden on May 18th in the Scottish Cup final. Next season they will have set Celtic's nine-in-a-row championship record, set under Jock Stein, in their sights.

"Walter Smith saved my life and that is a thank you to him," said Gascoigne, who arrived from Lazio for a club record of £4.3 million last summer. Gascoigne's second goal yesterday was a typically stunning individual effort from inside his own half, and an 86th minute penalty completed his first hat-trick in Scottish football.

Asked how he rated today's events, he said: "It is right up there with some great moments for me, like when we flew back from the World Cup in 1990 after doing so well, and the 1991 FA Cup semifinal when Spurs beat Arsenal. But this will be hard to beat."

Yesterday, Gascoigne even escaped a yellow card from referee Les Mottram, which would have ruled him out of the Scottish Cup final.

"I was delighted to get the victory and retain the championship," said Walter Smith. "Paul Gascoigne's goals were exceptional and to score 19 from midfield this season with only a couple of penalties is a great achievement. He has had a terrific season."

Aberdeen boss Roy Aitken said: "I felt we lost the game rather than they won it."

Gascoigne was named top man for the 1995-96 season by the Scottish Professional Footballers Association at a dinner at a Glasgow hotel last night, just hours after Rangers secured the title. He heat off the challenge of Rangers team-mate Andy Goram, Celtic rival Tom Boyd and Paul Lambert of Motherwell to clinch the award.

Two Juventus fans were stabbed after their side's visit to AS Roma yesterday. Pierdomenico Icai (18) and Massimiliano Pisano (17) were attacked by four rival supporters as they left the stadium after the Serie A 2-2 draw.