Burns' legacy will live on

Hoops pay tribute to former coach

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th May 2008

tommy burns

Burns: In his days as Celtic boss

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Gordon Strachan, Stephen McManus and Peter Lawwell have praised the impact Tommy Burns had at Celtic.

The former Hoops player and coach has passed away after a long-running battle with skin cancer, but those connected with the club insist that he will never be forgotten at Parkhead.

Strachan installed Burns as his assistant on his arrival at the club in 2005, a decision he feels was the best he has ever made.

"He radiated every time he walked into a room, however you were feeling you felt better when Tommy was about, and we will miss him. It's not the same when he's not here," said the Hoops boss.

"The best thing I ever did when I came here was make Tommy assistant manager, for his intelligence, common sense and humour. He kept me sane at times, it was just a privilege to be in his company every day.

"There is absolutely no doubt about it I have laughed every day since I joined Celtic. His memory will make me feel good now he's not here."

Pleasure

Club captain McManus has worked with Burns both domestically and internationally and believes he was a "special man".

"Its very tough, a few of the lads have known for quite some time that he's not been keeping too well, but he would still bounce around the training ground and that shows you what kind of man he was," said the Scotland international.

"He would fight on and made sure that nobody felt awkward. He was courageous. He will be badly missed by every one of us, not just as a coach but as a person. For me it's been a pleasure to have known him.

"He just made you feel important, it's a special man who make people feel like that. I have no doubt there will be people all over the football world who are feeling as bad as we are.

"He's a one-off and there will never be another Tommy Burns."

Passion

Celtic's chief executive Lawwell was also keen to pay his respects to a man who has left an enduring legacy at the Glasgow-based club, and refused to rule out the possibility of a memorial being erected at Parkhead in recognition of his achievements.

"It's very early, we haven't thought about that," he said.

"We could put a statue up, but Tommy Burns will live forever at this club. He's part of the history. We have got many, many legends but he'll take his position in there.

"His energy, his drive and passion for this club was remarkable.

"He leaves us the legacy of the youth academy, he was a big input in that. He's left the club in a great, great state."