Football pays tribute to Burns

Celtic legend sadly missed as friends speak with warmth

Last updated: 15th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Football pays tribute to Burns

Burns: Well loved

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Tributes are pouring in for Tommy Burns after the Celtic legend lost his battle with skin cancer.

The former Parkhead player, coach and manager had been receiving treatment in both Scotland and France in recent weeks, with the disease having returned in March.

Burns was much loved by supporters, players and colleagues alike, with key figures within Scottish football having been quick to pay their respects.

Tommy Gemmell, one of the Lisbon Lions who won the 1967 European Cup for Celtic, got to know Burns well despite playing for the club at different times.

"He was a tremendous player and a great manager. And a great person," said Gemmell.

"I don't think you will find anyone on this earth who will say a bad word about him.

"My feelings go out to Rosemary and his family. It is a very sad occasion for someone so young. It's a sad loss.

"I never had the privilege of playing with him but I watched him many times."

Another former Celtic team-mate, Frank McGarvey, said: "I'm shattered and I think everyone is shattered.

"My thoughts go out to his wife Rosemary and the family. It's a very sad day for everyone.

Shattered

"He was one of Celtic's greatest servants and was one of the players who would try and go to every event that involved the supporters.

"He was only 51 and it's very hard to understand why this happens.

"He was one of the good guys, a winner, with a great sense of humour and he will be badly missed by everyone. A good friend has been taken away."

Newcastle coach Terry McDermott revealed how Burns made a huge impact on him when Kenny Dalglish recruited him to the backroom staff at St James' Park.

The former Liverpool player told Sky Sports News: "It's devastating news, not just for the Celtic supporters and Newcastle supporters, but for the whole of football because he was such a lovely man.

"When he came to Newcastle I didn't know him. When Kenny brought him in, I thought, 'Why he has he brought him in?'.

"But it didn't take long to realise - his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game and, more than anything, the type of person he was. He was a fantastic guy and such a hard worker."

Family man

Alan McInally, who played alongside Burns at Celtic and under him at Kilmarnock, said: "It's absolutely dreadful.

"I'm just absolutely devastated, devastated. At 51 years old, I can't take it in."

He added: "I have memories of Tommy Burns being just the most happy, family-loving individual I think I've ever met in my life.

"He was always good to me and certainly a character in the dressing room. It would be difficult for any Rangers fan, never mind a Celtic fan, to have anything wrong to say about Tommy Burns."

He hailed Burns' playing talent, saying: "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."

Reid tribute

Celtic chairman John Reid described Burns as a man of 'true integrity and dignity' whose death would be mourned by everyone connected with the club.

The former Home Secretary said on the club's official website: "The passing of Tommy Burns is devastating news and my sincere and heartfelt sympathies go to Rosemary and Tommy's family.

"Tommy is someone who was loved by so many of us. 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.

"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."

Gentleman

Burns was a much-loved figure among the Celtic supporters and they paid tribute to him this morning.

Peter Rafferty, of the Association of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said: "I knew Tommy very well both as a friend and obviously through his connections with Celtic. I got to know him over many years.

"He was a true gentleman and a big family man. I would just like to pass my condolences on to Rosemary and his family on behalf of the Celtic supporters.

"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.

"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.

"All these things pale into insignificance this morning. He was a very nice person, a very religious person.

"If you needed anything, Tommy Burns would always be there for you."