Strachan leads tributes for Burns

Last Modified: 16 May 2008
Source: ITN

Gordon Strachan led the tributes for the former Celtic manager Tommy Burns, who has died at the age of 51.

Hundreds of fans have been to Parkhead to pay their respects to a man who spent 15 years playing for the club and three as manager.

Since Strachan became Celtic boss, Burns has been working as a coach at the club and head of the youth set-up.

Strachan said: "No disrespect to football, but being Tommy's mate is the best part of coming to Celtic.

"People will be judged, not as a footballer, and there weren't many better than him, but as a person. He's top of the league when it comes to being a man."

Many Rangers fans also arrived at parkhead on their way back from the Uefa Cup final to pay their respects.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "Tommy will go down in history as a Celtic legend amongst many, many great legends Celtic have."

Celtic captain Stephen McManus described Burns as an inspirational figure for many young players at the club.

He said: "I had been here a couple of years when Tommy came back and I was probably a tadpole in the ocean. But Tommy made me feel the most important person in the world.

"It's only special men that make someone feel like that.

"He will be badly missed by every one of us, not just as a coach, but as a person."

These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.