Published: Wednesday, 21st May, 2008 12:00
Borderers pay tribute to a footballing legend
By David O'Leary
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Tommy Burns, who lost his long battle with skin cancer last Thursday.
Pic by: Picture courtesy of the Scottish Sun
TRIBUTES have poured in for Celtic legend Tommy Burns after he was laid to rest yesterday.
Burns died at home on May 15 following a battle with cancer and such was the respect that he was held his funeral was broadcast to thousands of mourners at Parkhead.
The former Scotland international was an ex-manager of Celtic and had been a long-serving player with the Glasgow club, making 352 league appearances and scoring 52 goals. He was also a vital part of the side that won the league and cup double in the club's centenary season, 1988.
The following year, Burns moved to Kilmarnock, where he became player-manager in 1992, winning the club promotion to the Scottish Premier Division in season 1992-93. He then moved to become manager at Celtic at the start of season 1994-95 and led them to a Scottish Cup win the same year.
He later became assistant manager of the Scottish national team under Berti Vogts in 2002 and retained the position under Walter Smith. On 18 January 2007, Burns announced through Celtic's official website that he was severing all ties with the Scottish national team to concentrate on his role at the club.
Killlmarnock Football Club manager Jim Jefferies came to know Burns well over the years and told of his shock at hearing the news of his death.
He said, “It came as a real shock. I knew that the illness had returned but thought that he’d undergo treatment and then pull through again because he was a real fighter.
“He’s not just a legend for football but as a human being also. Kilmarnock FC can’t thank him enough because he revived the club and established it in the Premier League. He helped the club a lot.
“I recall meeting him when we last played against Celtic and he didn’t look ill at all, which is good because I’ll remember him as he was, laughing and chatting.”
Brian Scott from Innerleithen was a physio at Celtic for 24 years and worked alongside Burns firstly as a player and later as a manager.
He said, “Tam was a great guy who was very dedicated to his family, his club and his sport. As a coach he was always forceful and authoritative but never bullying, he cajoled the best out of players.”
“He was a real character and would always be up for a sing-song on a night out singing ‘Mack the Knife’. I’ll not only remember the laughs and carry-ons with him but also his love of life.
“I remember him as a player under Billy McNeil and Billy shouting at him to stay in his position on the left. But Tam wanted to be on the ball and was drifting inside looking for it, sure enough the opposition attacked down the left and nearly scored, Big Billy was going mental but Tam just shrugged, that was his character he just wanted to be involved in things, he’s a definite loss to the sport.”
Rob Headspeth, Chairman of the Galashiels Glasgow Celtic Supporters club recalled how friendly Burns was when he attended an event in Galashiels. He said, “He was a really nice guy, very personable and very funny, a legend as a player and a manager. Anytime we asked him to help out any charities he’d deliver with a signed strip or football.””
“I think it would be a great tribute to his memory if the club named the new training facilities at Lennoxtown after him.”
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