Today it was announced that ex Glasgow Celtic player and manager Tommy Burns had lost his battle with skin cancer and passed away, he was only 51.
Signed by Celtic from Maryhill in 1973 Tommy went on to play over 350 games for the team he supported and was instrumental in Celtic's 1988 league and cup double in their centenary year. He also played for the national team winning eight caps.
Tommy spent virtually his whole career at the Glasgow club and only left to join Kilmarnock as a player/manager but in 1994 he was given the opportunity to manage the club that he supported and became Celtic's manager.
Kilmarnock didn't want to let Burns go and only when £100,000 was given to Kilmarnock as compensation was Burns allowed to take up the reins at Parkhead.
Even though Burns' reign didn't herald any Premier League titles, the style of play that Celtic were playing was enough to keep the fans off his back but in 1997 the board decided enough was enough and sacked Burns.
He then headed south and had a stint in charge of Reading but the lure of working with the Scottish national team soon saw him head back to Scotland.
In 2005 Burns was back at Celtic. The departure of Martin O'Neil and the appointment of Gordon Strachan saw Burns promoted from youth team coach to first team coach and he was a popular member of the backroom staff but in 2006 he was diagnosed with skin cancer.
Even though it was widely known that Tommy Burns was suffering from melanoma the news that he has passed away at such a young age is sure to send shockwaves through not only Scottish football but to football fans world wide.
As a fan I would like to thank Tommy Burns for everything he did for the club he loved and my thoughts are with his wife and four children.
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4 months ago
Tommy Burns was special in his attitude to the game and life, a Celtic man through and through but a fair one at that. His family faith and love of the game was his life.
I met him on occasion through charity events here in Glasgow, he did a lot for sick kids charities up here, a great man with a great sense of fun, sad day for Scotland and British football so soon after the passing of Phil O'Donnel to.
from 4 months ago
Great words John. Tommy Burns was a great man and did a lot for Scottish Football. 51 is no age for someone to lose their life.
4 months ago
The word 'Legend' gets thrown about a lot in football but it really does apply to Tommy Burns.
A Celtic man through and through, a legend as a player and had Celtic playing some of the most attractive football for years as manager.
R.I.P. Tommy.
from 4 months ago
The Celtic team Tommy assembled was my first Celtic team I knew off as I grew up, it was something to behold and to watch, so exciting and unpredictable due to the fire power and skill on display.
Paolo di Canio,
Jorge Cadete,
Pierre van Hooijdonk,
Andreas Thom,
Alan Stubbs,
with a mix Scots like
Simon Donnely,
Jackie McNamara,
Phil O'Donnell,
John Hughes,
Tom Boyd,
Tosh McKinlay,
exciting football it was in deed.
Tommy Burns the man was always gracious no matter the result or circumstance, a proud man of faith and family with routes in the local area of Celtic Park like no other Celtic player or manager.
We all loved him and I happy his young family in their time of pain and loss will be so touched by the feelings we had for their father and husband, he was someone to take your measure from when dealing with the politics, glorys and failings of the crazy world sometimes that is Glasgow football.
Amen Tommy Burns thanks for everything...
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