The Tommy Burns Tribute Match will see many of the 1996/97 team reunited in honour of their former gaffer when they face the present day incumbents at Celtic Park today. Jorge Cadete, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Paolo di Canio are amongst those donning the Hoops once more, bringing back memories of those good old bad old days and Roy Aitken thinks Tommy deserved so much more credit for his achievements at the club.
"Tommy was so unlucky." he said. "His teams played some fantastic football. If they had been playing now they might have won the league five weeks before the end. He didn't get enough credit as he should have as a manager for Celtic but his overall contribution to the club was second to none."
"They were so unlucky to come up against a strong Rangers team, he used to say keeper Andy Goram broke his heart in some of those Old Firm games." continued the ex-Celtic captain. "Tommy felt he got the Celtic job too early and that a bit more experience elsewhere first would have helped him and that's possibly true. After 14 years at Celtic he enjoyed relative success as a player and boss at Kilmarnock before taking up the manager's position at Parkhead."
"I don't know if our lives are laid out before we start." said Aitken. "But I think it was fate that brought him back. It just never came as far as winning trophies but his team played fantastic football - just look at the line-up. Hooijdonk, Cadete, Andreas Thom, di Canio, all quality players, plus the kids he brought through the system to create a truly exciting side."
Aitken and Burns came through the ranks together at Celtic and the great friends broke through into the first team around the same time. Sadly, three years ago, both were diagnosed with cancer around the same time too. "We both suffered the illness at roughly the same time. " said 'the Bear'. "Touch wood, mine has been under control but it does put into perspective what is important. We spoke about our illnesses and I knew his situation was serious at the same time I was recovering."
"He always thought there was hope." he added. "I met him at a couple of functions and Tommy was always upbeat - but then I'd speak to his wife Rosemary and she was a bit more realistic. But he was a fighter and never let it affect his work because he got so much pleasure doing things for the club. It was a shock when the cancer caught up with him in the end. But he had a close family and strong faith that would have helped him."
Roy won't be able to make the game but he insists that his heart will be in the east-end of Glasgow today and he expects a great turnout for the match which will aid the Celtic Charity Fund and the Tommy Burns Skin Cancer Trust. "People respond to Tommy because he wore his heart on his sleeve and for his honesty and integrity." said Aitken. "He epitomised Celtic throughout his life in the sense he was player, manager, coach and fan. Tommy and I came through the ranks together and made our debuts at roughly the same time. We were big mates. We were both fans fortunate enough to play for the club we loved."
"And Tommy was a gifted player, although we did fall out at times because he didn't defend as much as he should have." Aitken recalled with a smile. "Tommy would have a go at us and we'd reply ' Well, maybe if you helped out at times it would be easier!' It's a nice tribute to have this game. The fans will turn out in their thousands."