Celtic mourn legend Burns
Former manager and player loses cancer battle
Last updated: 15th May 2008
Burns: Celtic legend
Former Celtic manager and player Tommy Burns has died from skin cancer, the club has announced. He was 51.
The SPL side's first-team coach originally contracted skin cancer in 2006. Although he received treatment, the disease returned in March.
Former Scotland international Burns, who spent 15 years as a player at Parkhead and also managed the club for three seasons, had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks.
A statement from Celtic on their official website said: "It is with great sadness that Celtic Football Club confirmed this morning that Tommy Burns has passed away.
"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."
Burns joined Celtic as a teenager in 1973 and went on to play 352 league games for the club, scoring 52 goals, and winning eight Scotland caps.
In 1989, he moved to Kilmarnock and was given his first job in management there three years later.
He left to take the Celtic reins in 1994 but was sacked three years later.
A short spell as boss of Reading followed before Burns became Scotland number two in 2002 under Berti Vogts and later Walter Smith.
He returned to Celtic as first-team coach shortly before Martin O'Neill's arrival, a position he retained when Gordon Strachan became manager.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Rosemary, and four children.
Provan tribute
Former Celtic team-mate Davie Provan also sent his best wishes to the family.
"I first came across Tommy in the Scotland Under-21 team - that must be 30 years ago," Provan told Sky Sports News.
"I will remember him as a very good footballer but more than that, a great human being. He was decent and honest.
"He was hugely popular at Celtic but I'm sure his death will cause great sadness among the Rangers supporters too.
"He embodied everything good about the club. He made a terrific Celtic manager but was desperately unlucky that Rangers under Walter Smith were so powerful.
"He was a great example to everybody at Celtic Park. He was a universally popular at the ground. He was born and brought up in the Calton district of Glasgow - a stone's throw from Celtic Park - and he got to live the dream.
"But football was a poor third in his life. His great devotion was Rosemary and his family, and his faith."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Liverpool |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Wigan |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Man City vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton | |
| Tottenham 0 - 2 Liverpool | |
| Wigan 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Birmingham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Derby 0 - 4 Reading | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Middlesbrough 8 - 1 Man City | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Fulham | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Monday 5th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 4th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton | |
| Liverpool 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 3rd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 4 - 1 West Ham | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 2 Wigan | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Derby | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Bolton 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Reading 0 - 1 Tottenham | |
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Comments
Paul Larkin (Celtic fan) says...
Very sad day today with the passing of a true celtic Legend. It was great to see Rangers and fans of other clubs at Celtic park tonight leaving scarfs and strips paying tribute to one of scotland's true legends. R.I.P Tommy Burns!
Posted 22:05 15th May 2008
Chris Maclean (Celtic fan) says...
My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to Tommy's family. I feel honoured to have been able to see him grace the football field on a few occasions. A tremendous player, great manager and a fine example to all. A huge loss to the beautiful game. God Bless and may you rest in peace.
Posted 22:04 15th May 2008
Geoff Cowan (Celtic fan) says...
Devastating news but nothing but good memories of Tommy. A legend in the past, now and forever.
Posted 21:35 15th May 2008
Nicola Mcconnell (Rangers fan) says...
Rest in Peace Tommy, although I never got a chance to meet you, I feel deeply saddened at such a young life taken away. I was sad that my team lost last night, however after hearing of this, football results dont matter. Tommy you are a true Celtic legend and your memory will live on in Scottish Football. Gone but never forgotton.
Posted 21:17 15th May 2008
Johnny Sadler says...
As a Rangers fan i was very disappointed after last night's game, but on waking this morning i was even more saddened to hear of the death of Tommy Burns. A fantastic player who wore his heart on his sleeve and a credit to his country and profession. A true gentleman, my regards to all who knew him
Posted 20:04 15th May 2008
Rosie Burke (Newcastle United fan) says...
Really saddened to hear the news today of Tommy Burns passing.A wonderful servant to the Celtic Cause and to Scottish Football.I'm sure he's moved from one Paradise to another!!God Bless from the Tyneside Irish!!.
Posted 19:35 15th May 2008
Mark Horton (Celtic fan) says...
I just can't believe Tommy "Twists n Turns" Burns had left us, it's such a shock. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. Tommy is a true legend of Celtic, he lived and breathed Celtic and knew what it meant to play for Celtic, a true gentleman and an even better human being. You'll Never Walk Alone Tommy Bhoy. Hail Hail and God Bless.
Posted 19:13 15th May 2008
David Murphy (Rangers fan) says...
I felt bad about the final last night but Tommy's death just puts these things into perspective. It's a sad loss and I can only give my condolences to his family and all that knew him. RIP Tommy.
Posted 19:11 15th May 2008
David Lamont says...
What a shock it was to hear of the passing of Celtic legend Tommy Burns. My thoughts are with his family at this time. His untimely death puts everything into perspective and I only have respect for the way he conducted himself as a player, coach, manager and proud family man. It is also very pleasing to see such support from other followers of football, including many Rangers fans on their way back from Manchester. That is testiment to the high regard Tommy was hailed. RIP.
Posted 16:07 15th May 2008
Kevin Myles (Celtic fan) says...
I was fortunate enough to grow up in the Tommy Burns era. He was a fantastic player who should certainly have had more international recognition. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. You have lost a true gent and I have lost a true legend. God Bless.
Posted 15:37 15th May 2008
John Smith (Rangers fan) says...
My name is John Smith and I am a season ticket holder at Ibrox. I would like to express my deep regret in hearing of the death of Tommy Burns. He was a football man and did not descend into the stupidity from both sides of today. He certainly played the game on and of the park in the true manner of your great club and the sport in general. He was a man the young of both clubs can look up to. I would also like to pass on my regrets to his family and friends. Yours sincerely John Smith
Posted 14:45 15th May 2008
Maureen Laverty (Celtic fan) says...
What a sad day and terrible loss this is for Scottish football mourning the death of a legend ... I was shocked to receive a text saying TB passed away around 4am this morning ... Tommy was rare breed in todays modern footballing world ... a true professional ... a Celtic man through and through ... who never forgot where he came from and always had time for the fans, not just the Parkhead faithful. Rest in Peace Tommy bhoy ... You'll Never Walk Alone ... sincere heartfelt condolences to his wife Rosemary and the Burns Family and friends ... my thoughts and prayers are with you ... so sorry for your loss ;(
Posted 14:21 15th May 2008
Elaine Stewart (Celtic fan) says...
RIP Tommy You'll never walk alone - my thought's are with all his family at this sad time - a true Gent and Legend respected worldwide. God Bless
Posted 14:20 15th May 2008
David Patterson (Berwick Rangers fan) says...
Shocked and saddened at the passing of a true legend in football. Tommy Burns was a true Gentleman of the game, he earnt the respect of everybody he came into contact with, he was succesful and ambitious and its so sad that he has been taken from us at such a young age. My thoughts and prayers go outto his family at this awful time, they must be so proud of what Tommy acheived in life and can look back and take strength, knowing he is looking down on them all and making sure they are ok. R.I.P Tommy you will never be forgotten.
Posted 14:15 15th May 2008
Karen Harding (Celtic fan) says...
Such a sad day to hear of the loss of Tommy Burns. One of Celtic and Scotlands greatests. My thoughts are with his wife and family. 'You'll never walk alone Tommy' Your friends and colleagues who have passed away before you will be waiting to meet you as those gates to paradise and I'm sure you'll have a good old kick about up there. You will be missed by all of Scotland. RIP Mr Burns x
Posted 14:11 15th May 2008
Rab Mcallister (Rangers fan) says...
I was feeling down and hungover after last night and then hearing about Tommy's death just added to my depression. Its so sad to lose good people .Tommy once said "put Andy Goram broke my heart on my tombstone" but it should say "Here lies a true gentleman and a lovely man"
Posted 14:05 15th May 2008
Nick Bromley (Kilmarnock fan) says...
I was distraught to hear about Tommy's untimely death, a true gentleman, a Celtic legend, but also a Killie legend too. I will never forget how he lifted our club from the depths as a player and a manager. Thanks for the memories, rest in peace Tommy.
Posted 14:03 15th May 2008
John Anten (Liverpool fan) says...
What a shame, football will be a sad place without Tommy, Football needs more people like him. A true footballing legend Rest in piece, my thoughts are with his wife Rosemary and his family. "YOU`LL NEVER WALK ALONE"
Posted 13:53 15th May 2008
Kieran Tierney says...
Tommy was not only an excellent football player, manager and coach but a great man. I had the pleasure of meeting him after a Celtic match a little over two years ago. I was only 15 at the time and he could quite easily have given me his autograph and said bye and I would have been happy but he didn't. He spoke at great length with me about the match and where i came from. Its a memory i will never forget. My thoughts are with his family.
Posted 13:45 15th May 2008
Gerry Griffin (Celtic fan) says...
When Tommy came to the Springburn Celtic Supporters Club which he did often, the place was packed with supporters, Tommy seemed to take meeting and putting the punters at ease as easily as he saw a goal scoring pass, Tommy had time for all football fans. well respected by his peers and fans a massive loss. R.I.P. Tommy God Bless Gerry Griffin.
Posted 13:45 15th May 2008
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