Celtic legend Tommy Burns loses cancer fight

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Celtic legend: Tommy Burns 1956-2008

I wanted to go out with a smile on my face and not a tear in my eye. So I got all of my crying out of the way during the warm-up. I ran about the pitch for 20 minutes with tears running down my cheeks because I knew I would never wear a Celtic jersey again.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died after a battle with cancer, the club said today.

Burns, 51, club died this morning at home. He was diagnosed with 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.

In a statement the club 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.

He made a farewell appearance in a friendly against Ajax before joining Kilmarnock. Facing the Dutch giants in his final match was an emotional experience.

"I wanted to go out with a smile on my face and not a tear in my eye," said Burns. "So I got all of my crying out of the way during the warm-up.

"I ran about the pitch for 20 minutes with tears running down my cheeks because I knew I would never wear a Celtic jersey again."

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 took on the manager's job at Parkhead.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Rosemary, and four children.

Celtic chairman John Reid said: “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.

“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.

"His 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,” he added.

Peter Rafferty, of the Association of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said: " He was a true gentleman and a big family man.

"Celtic was a big part of his life but the biggest part of his life was his family.''