Tommy Burns loses fight with cancer

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after losing his long-running battle against cancer.


Burns had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks after being diagnosed in March.


The former Scotland midfielder was treated for skin cancer in 2006, but it returned earlier this year.


Burns played for Celtic from 1974 to 1989, had a spell as manager in the mid-1990s and was the club's first-team coach before being granted leave.
A statement from Celtic said: "Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man will be sadly missed by us all. Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy's wife, Rosemary, and his family at this extremely difficult time."

YOUR TRIBUTES Tommy was as honest and dignified as any man could ever hope to be EH

Burns was an influential member of the side that won the Scottish Premier Division championship and Scottish Cup in the club's centenary year under the management of Billy McNeill.


Having won eight caps for Scotland, he bid an emotional farewell to Celtic after agreeing a £50,000 move to Kilmarnock, becoming manager at Rugby Park four years later.


Having guided the club back into the top flight, he was appointed as boss of Celtic in July 1994 and eventually helped the club to end a six-year trophy famine by lifting the Scottish Cup final against Airdrieonians at Hampden.

He was a fantastic football player. He was effective, so effective. Former team-mate Alan McInally

After parting company in 1997, he had spells as manager at Reading and assistant at Newcastle United before eventually returning to Glasgow.


He worked in a variety of roles at Celtic - in youth development and with the first team - as well as serving as a member of the Scotland coaching set-up, before his untimely death.
Celtic chairman, John Reid, described Burns as a man of "true integrity and dignity" whose death would be mourned by everyone connected with the club.


"Tommy is someone who was loved by so many of us," he said. "He was a man of true integrity and dignity.


"As a Celtic player, manager and coach, Tommy served Celtic with distinction and true professionalism.


"He was a true gentleman and someone who had the ability to connect and engage with anyone he met.


"As Celtic supporters, we recognised Tommy as one of our own and Tommy in turn was always delighted to spend time in the company of fellow fans.


"It was a privilege to know Tommy Burns. He was a man who gave so much to the club he loved over so many years.


"Tommy's passing will be mourned by the entire Celtic family. He will be hugely missed by us all, but he is someone we will never, ever forget."
Peter Rafferty, Secretary of the Association of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, mirrored Reid's comments.


"Celtic was a big part of his life, but the biggest part of his life was his family. He became a grandfather a few weeks ago and that is the biggest tragedy," Rafferty said.


"Legend is a word that is used quite a lot these days, but he was. He was a great player with Celtic first and foremost.


"He was a manager who played football the way Celtic supporters like to see it."


Alan McInally, who played alongside Burns at Celtic and under him at Kilmarnock, added: "I have memories of Tommy Burns being just the most happy, family-loving individual I think I've ever met in my life.


"He was always good to me and certainly a character in the dressing-room.


"It would be difficult for any Rangers fan, never mind a Celtic fan, to have anything wrong to say about Tommy Burns."

And he hailed Burns' playing talent, saying: "He was a fantastic football player. He was effective, so effective. I think that's why as a coach and a manager he did so well."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ic/7402185.stm

[ScottishBhoy87]

A true credit to Celtic and Scotland, will be sadly sadly missed.


R.I.P big fella

[MartyMcG_1967]

RIP Tommy

A gent and a true Celtic man, will be sadly missed by all.

You'll never walk alone

[MJB20_2008]

Extremely sad day for Scottish football. A great player, great coach and most importantly a great man. RIP Tommy, You'll never walk alone

[MJB20_2008]

Very sad day.

Strachan sounds as if he's devastated at the press conference, football comes a long second after events such as today.

God bless Tommy

[JackJarvis]

Yes this is sick, couldn't believe it when I heard.

You will never walk alone Tommy, I just pray that the Bhoys bring home the title for you now. God Bless.

[ScottishBhoy87]

YNWA Tommy

[stuart]

My brother just called and told me about this. It puts everything into perspective.

He was a great man, for scotland and celtic.

[MJB20_2008]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7402855.stm

Gordon Strachan interview. Very moving

[clarky101]

Very sad news, liked him as a player & got Celtic playing good football when as manager ...RIP..

[Valiant23]

I always thought this man acted and carried himself with dignity. A sad loss far too soon.

[jtw1]

R.I.P TB One thing that all in football who knew the man agreed that he was a real gentleman i all respects .

[friskyfitz]

Completely shocked when I saw this...

R.I.P Tommy Burns

[Big Gaz]

Never a hidden agenda with the man....met him on several occasions due to work and was a true gent...

R.I.P Tommy

[peteg40]

RIP Tommy... Thoughts with his family

[davie1987]

Such a Gentleman,

R.I.P Tommy, YNWA

[stewartd14]

This has shocked me and hit me quite hard.

RIP Tommy

[MartyMcG_1967]

Still can't quite believe this, truly gutted

Few if any are held in the high esteem Tommy was not just at Celtic but in Scottish football in general, a true gentleman.

He will be sadly missed.

[AJ]

Met the fella once in greece, when he was the kilmarnock manager, he was chatty enough despite me having an Ayr Utd top on at the time.

Caused me no end of pain as a player though, I remember watching an Ayr vs Killie game in about '89. He scored a hat trick against us before half time.

I wrote this in Nov 2007 when Smith walked out on Scotland. Feel no need to add to this, said it all then

Originally Posted by AJ

If we are looking for champange football and a lot of flair, the obvious pick is Tommy Burns. Wonderful coach, has been part of the setup for years, did great things at Celtic, his team there was a thing of beauty.

I we are looking for dull pragmatic football, with 1-0 wins then I don't think we can go past George Graham.

I'd have Burns in the job this afternoon myself, but would understand a Graham appiontment

[Robbie1960]

A true gentleman full of integrity.....RIP Tommy