Tommy Burns Dies of Cancer

May 15 2008 By Michael Pringle

Passing of a legend.

Tributes have flooded in for Celtic legend Tommy Burns who died yesterday from cancer at the age of 51. The entrance to Celtic Park has become a sea of scarves, flags and floral tributes.

Among the thousands of green and white tributes are others from football fans across the country, including many from city rivals Rangers and from Kilmarnock. One message pinned to a Rangers scarf summed it up, it read - "a genuinely good man, liked and respected by all decent supporters - everyone will miss Tommy Burns".

The former player, first team coach under Gordon Strachan, won eight caps for Scotland during his career. He played for Celtic for 15 years and was awarded a testimonial match against Liverpool in 1987.

Tommy had a spell at Kilmarnock as player/manager before returning to Celtic as manager, winning the Scottish Cup in 1995.

He moved to Newcastle United as assistant to Kenny Dalglish before managing Reading and returning to Celtic in a youth development role.

The red-head known for his silky midfield style, was the assistant national coach under both Berti Vogts and Walter Smith, he recently ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Scotland manager’s position which was eventually filled by George Burley.

Tommy had been battling illness for a considerable time and had already beaten skin cancer in 2006 only for the illness to return, he passed away at his home in the early hours of Thursday morning. His funeral cortege will pass Celtic Park on Tuesday.

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