'You think the world is your oyster but you have to be careful about the things that can drag you down. You have to expect the unexpected.'
Gascoigne and Rooney were teammates at Everton last season and Gazza added: 'I went to have a look at him when he was a sub for the Under 19s. He was only 15 but he came on and scored two brilliant goals. I thought: "This kid is something else".'
The sight of Gascoigne struggling to maintain what was left of his fitness helped persuade Rooney to give up his passion for junk food.
Like Gazza, Rooney is now under the media microscope and Gascoigne added: 'He is going to have to deal with every aspect of his life being examined. But he is at a great club who will help him all the way and in David Moyes he has an understanding manager.
'This boy is our next world- class player. I can see him winning more than 100 caps.'
