Tommy Burns: Factfile

Life and times of late Celtic legend

Last updated: 15th May 2008  

Tommy Burns: Factfile

Burns: Celtic legend

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Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after a long battle against cancer.

Here, skysports.com looks back at the life and times of the universally-popular former Scotland boss.

1956: Born December 16 in Glasgow.

1975: Joins Celtic, having started his career with Maryhill Juniors.

1976: Having played for half an hour the previous season against Dundee, Burns makes his full debut in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

1988: Influential member of the Celtic side that wins the Scottish Premier Division championship and Scottish Cup in the club's centenary year under the management of Billy McNeill.

1989: December - Bids an emotional farewell to the Celtic supporters after agreeing a £50,000 move to Kilmarnock. Throws his shirt into the 'Jungle' terracing at Parkhead in a friendly with Ajax.

1992: Handed the Kilmarnock manager's job on a caretaker basis after the departure of Jim Fleeting. Insists he wants the job permanently and has his wish granted by the Rugby Park board.

1993: Guides Kilmarnock into the Premier Division and his team promptly beat Rangers at Ibrox early in the season thanks to a late winner from Bobby Williamson.

1994: Leads Kilmarnock to the Scottish Cup semi-finals where they only lose out to Rangers.

1994: Leaves Kilmarnock on July 11 and is appointed Celtic manager by Fergus McCann the following day.

In October, Celtic are fined £100,000 by the Scottish League for approaching Burns while he was Kilmarnock manager and ordered to pay compensation.

In November Burns leads Celtic into the Coca-Cola Cup final against First Division Raith Rovers at Ibrox but it ends in despair as Jimmy Nicholl's side win on penalties.

1995: Signs Pierre van Hooijdonk from NAC Breda in January. The Dutchman scores on his debut and then helps Celtic end a six-year trophy famine by netting the winner in the Scottish Cup final against Airdrie at Hampden.

1996: Celtic lose just one game in the Premier Division but still fail to stop Rangers winning the title. Also lose to Rangers in both cup competitions.

1997: January - Burns is fined and banned from the touchline for a year after a trackside flare-up in an Old Firm derby. The ban is later cut on appeal.

April 23 - Celtic lose the Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final replay 1-0 to First Division Falkirk at Ibrox.

On May 2, Burns is released from his contract early by Celtic and parts company with the club.

Joins up with Kenny Dalglish as assistant at Newcastle.

1998: Leaves St James' Park after the dismissal of Dalglish. Appointed manager of Reading after departure of Terry Bullivant.

1999: Sacked by the Royals after a poor run of results at start of 1999-2000 season.

2000: Re-joins Dalglish at Parkhead after head coach John Barnes' exit following the Scottish Cup defeat by Inverness.

Takes over youth development officer role after the appointment of Martin O'Neill as manager.

2002: March 8 - Scottish Football Association confirm they have made an approach to Burns to become part of the new national team coaching set-up under Berti Vogts.

March 13 - Burns is confirmed as Vogts' assistant on a part-time basis, while continuing his role as youth development officer at Celtic.

March 27 - The new Scotland management team get off to the worst possible start when they suffer a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of France in their first game.

2004: October 13 - Scotland can only draw 1-1 with Moldova - leaving them with just two points from their opening three World Cup qualifiers.

November 1 - Vogts resigns as Scotland manager but Burns' position as assistant remains unaffected.

November 4 - Burns is appointed caretaker manager for the friendly against Sweden on November 17.

November 17 - With Burns in charge, Scotland are defeated 4-1 by Sweden at Easter Road.

December 2 - Walter Smith is named as new Scotland manager, and keeps Burns as assistant boss.

2005: June 1 - Gordon Strachan takes over as Celtic manager, after Martin O'Neill resigns to look after his sick wife. Burns is named first-team coach.

2006: March 29 - Celtic announce Burns faces treatment for skin cancer, having been diagnosed as suffering from a melanoma.

May 16: Announces he has been given the all-clear by doctors after having two lumps removed from his leg.

2007: January 18 - Eight days after Smith quits as Scotland boss, Burns resigns as assistant manager and commits himself to working full-time for Celtic. He had been tipped as a potential successor to Smith but was not invited for an interview.

2008: March 10 - Celtic announce Burns will begin receiving treatment for skin cancer again.

May 15 - Celtic announce Burns has died at the age of 51.