Former Celtic coach Burns dies of cancer

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Former Celtic manager Tommy Burns was widely praised as a great footballer and a special person on Thursday after dying of cancer aged 51.

"Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man, will be sadly missed by us all," Celtic said on their Web site (www.celticfc.net).

Burns was first treated for skin cancer in 2006 but earlier this year fell ill again and took leave as a first team coach this season to fight the illness.

Burns, who won eight caps for Scotland, played for Celtic from 1974 until 1989, winning six league titles and five Scottish Cups before joining Kilmarnock in 1990 where he became player-manager.

He returned to Celtic as manager in 1994 and won the Scottish Cup a year later before leaving in 1997 to work as Kenny Dalglish's number two at Newcastle United.

He later assisted Scotland manager Berti Vogts, a position he kept under Walter Smith, and returned to Celtic again to take charge of youth development under Martin O'Neill.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan replaced O'Neill in 2005 and promoted Burns to first team coach.

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