O'Neill's tribute to Celtic hero Tommy
Friday, 16 May 2008
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Former Northern Ireland international Martin O'Neill last night led tributes to former Celtic legend Tommy Burns who died after losing his long-running battle with cancer.
Burns (51), who was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 had been undergoing treatment in Glasgow and France in recent weeks but died at home.
During his career the ex-Celtic midfielder went on to manage the team, and also play for Scotland.
He played for Celtic from 1974 to 1989 and was the club's first-team coach before being granted leave. He went on to become assistant manager of Scotland under Berti Vogts in 2002 and retained the position under Walter Smith.
However, Burns returned to Celtic for a third time when then manager Martin O'Neill placed him in charge of youth development. Mr O'Neill, said he was deeply sorry to hear the news: "I met him in June 2000 when I became the Celtic manager. He was a great help to me in those early weeks before I was joined by Steve Walford and then John Robertson, at Celtic Park.
"He was a brilliant footballer for the club and will be very badly missed."
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Rosemary, and four children.
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