Tommy Burns Dies - TalkSoccer

kenny hoggan · 15-05-2008, 01:44 PM

been away for a long time i know but when i saw nothing about this i needed to post it.

Quote:

Celtic's Burns loses cancer fight

Burns had been receiving treatment for skin cancer
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

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.

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

Gordon Strachan is devastated at the loss of Tommy Burns
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 said Burns' 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.

He was a fantastic football player. He was effective, so effective.

Former team-mate Alan McInally

"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."

The SFA, who Burns served as a national team coach under Scotland managers Berti Vogts and Walter Smith, described him as a "magnificent ambassador" to the game.

Tommy Burns was a Celtic legend - Peter Lawwell
"Everyone at the Scottish FA would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time," a statement read.

"Tommy's passing is a great loss and he will be sadly missed by us all. He was a true gentleman and a magnificent ambassador for Scottish football."

Alan McInally, who played alongside Burns at Celtic and under him at Kilmarnock, added: "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."

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