The news that Celtic legend Tommy Burns has had a relapse of the skin Cancer that saw him having 2 lumps removed from his left leg in April 2006 has left Timdom shocked!
Tommy has been a great servant to Celtic, as a player, a coach and a manager and has been with the Club since 1974 (albeit he did have brief spells with Kilmarnock as a player and a coach).
Thomas ("Tommy") Burns (born 16 December 1956 in Glasgow), is a former professional football player and manager.
Tommy Burns signed from Celtic in 1973 from Maryhill Juniors and made his debut in a league victory against Dundee Utd in April 1975. He made a total of 352 league appearances and scoring 52 goals before moving to Kilmarnock in 1989, where he would become the manager in 1992, winning the club promotion to the Premier Division in season 1992-93.
Tommy played his last game for Celtic in a pre season friendly against Ajax in 1989, and he made these comments regarding that emotional day; 'The manager at the time, Billy McNeill, knew it was going to be my last game for the club but the fans were unaware I was joining Kilmarnock.
'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 before the friendly against Ajax.
'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.
'Big Billy was kind and understanding because he took me off 30 minutes into the match so that I could say a lingering farewell to the fans.
'I ran to the old Jungle and paid my respects before moving to the 'Celtic end' where I had stood as a boy.
Tommy Burns was appointed team manager by Fergus McCann on 12 July 1994. after being tapped from Kilmarnock. His team grew a reputation for playing attractive and attacking football, albeit the defence was his team's major Achilles heel. Tommy won the Club its first trophy since 1989, beating Airdrie in the Scottish Cup Final. Tommy failed in his quest to wrestle the league title back from Rangers and effectively resigned on Friday the 2nd May 1997.
Tommy currently has the role of team coach and Youth Development Manager and he intends to continue in these roles throughout his treatment.
Our thoughts, prayers and hopes are with you Tommy.
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt