Remembering Tommy Burns
Tommy Burns was respected by people on both sides of the religious divide that has often been a problem in Glasgow life. To those who cheer the green and white he is a saint and will be forever remembered as one of the Celtic greats
The blue side of Glasgow too showed their grief when the Scottish public was touched by the sight of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist tearfully carrying Tommy's coffin into St Mary's Chapel in the Calton for the funeral service on 20th May 2008
It gave hope to those who despair at the scourge of bigotry that runs like a disease through life in the West of Scotland. Everything about Tommy Burns gives us reasons to be hopeful. It makes life better to know that there are people like him in the world
That day reminded us of the natural human condition of wanting to forget differences and pull together through hard times
The values Tommy Burns held dear are those that every human being wishes for: family, faith, hope, charity, fairness and a sense of community no matter the colour, creed or religion of any human being. The very same values on which the football club was founded. He was and will remain a beacon in a world that is becoming scarred by selfishness and ignorance
His place in the Celtic history is assured because he left us with memories of joyful afternoons in the sun and the rain and he earned our respect by the truckload through his words and charitable actions towards the under-privileged
Tommy Burns grew up within shouting distance of Celtic Park and was firmly tied to his roots in the Calton - he was a fan who got lucky and he was blessed for being handed the privilege of wearing the green and white hoops of Celtic
All catholic schoolboys in Glasgow dream of playing in the hoops and scoring the goal that brings joy to the thousands. Tommy knew what football meant to the supporters who cheered him from the terraces because he shared their modest hopes and dreams
He was a creative midfield maestro with an elegant left foot and could pass a ball onto a sixpence from thirty yards. He could easily twist and turn through a group of players and create goals for the gifted strikers who fed off his play
Older supporters said he reminded them of the Celtic players of the 1950s and 60s who played the game with individual brilliance and style in the Celtic way.
Later as club manager he carried on that tradition when the club was going to ruin through internal boardroom squabbles and the Rangers dominance of the 1990s. He stayed at the wheel and led us through the storm at a time in our history we prefer to forget
Tommy felt the pain of those years as much as any Celtic fan and when he spoke about it publicly it was with sincerity and dignity. The message he sent to the fans was that they would never walk alone as long as they believed and kept the faith
All through those testing times the real Celtic supporters kept the faith because they believed in Tommy Burns and badly wanted him to win against all the odds that were stacked against him. He kept his humanity under extreme pressure and it made us proud to know that he was one of us.
One day in a match against Rangers at Ibrox Tommy was walking to the dug out and was called over by a girl in a Rangers scarf and asked to sign an autograph. Tommy obliged, naturally, and gave her a hug and kiss just for good luck
Stories like that remind us of all that is good in people and demonstrate our ability to mend bridges
In much the same way that thousands of hearts were full of hope every time Tommy Burns played football his actions off the field gave humanity a lesson on how to be a real human being
I recall three Scottish Cup Finals won by teams that included Tommy Burns and they were all played in the sun. I think of a flame red haired maestro running around Hampden Park on those great summer afternoons sweating for the thousands who wear the green
Thanks for the memories Tommy