Troubled former England player Paul Gascoigne has pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offense.

The ex-Tottenham and Lazio midfielder admitted used "threatening or abusive words or behavior" toward a black security guard in November at his stage show, "An Evening with Gazza," in Wolverhampton, central England.

The 49-year-old Gascoigne's guilty plea came ahead of a trial at Dudley Magistrates' Court which was due to start on Monday.

Once one of England's most talented players, Gascoigne has faced years of alcohol and mental health problems.