Jonathan Burns led the tributes on what would have been his dad’s 63rd birthday.
Eleven years ago, still very much in his prime heading as first team coach to Gordon Strachan TB was taken from us creating a massive void at the club and across Glasgow.
When cancer returned and he had to step back from coaching duties, Strachan got in touch with Neil Lennon to fill that coaching vacancy. It’s fair to say that no one would be happier than Burns at the success the Irishman is currently sharing with the Celtic support.
Burns joined Celtic straight from school, broke through under Jock Stein and created a million memories before signing off in December 1989 when Billy McNeill was in charge.
Five years later he returned as manager, rebuilding the club at the new look Celtic Park although it seems that his relationship with Fergus McCann was often strained.
Burns won plenty of trophies and medals at Celtic but as today’s social media posts illustrate the true legacy is in the memories that he left from thousands of meetings with ordinary supporters, a phrase that he was very happy to apply to himself.
Happy birthday old buddy old pal , fuckin hell its impossible to miss anything more ? pic.twitter.com/tyTs2ATwXy
— Jonathan Burns (@twistandturns_J) December 16, 2019
God bless you and your legend of a father , hope your ok Jonathan , YNWA
— ?Chris 441 JS? (@cborp1) December 16, 2019
From one Calton Bhoy to another, happy birthday Tam #StMarysBoysGuildCalton
— Joe (@onekinghenrik) December 16, 2019
The total fan on the pitch. As a Scouser and Liverpool fan always loved Tommy. He was one of us out there on the park. RIP YNWA.
— Nicky Allt (@NickyAllt) December 16, 2019
My Celtic hero. Wonderful player . Wonderful man. His post match interview after the 1988 cup final sums up your dad. RIP Tommy. ???
— James Hughes (@mcneill1967) December 16, 2019
