Emotional Celtic Graves Society Event Remembers Tommy Burns

HUNDREDS of Celtic supporters gathered at Linn Cemetery, Glasgow, on Saturday afternoon to remember one of the club’s greatest ever players.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of Tommy Burns’ sad and untimely death at the age of just 51 this Tuesday, May 15, the Celtic Graves Society organised a special event to pay tribute to Tommy and celebrate his life and the extraordinary contribution he made to the club he always loved.

With Tommy’s wife, Rosemary, and three of his children - Emma, Jenna and Michael - in attendance, along with many other family and friends, the day began with a blessing from Father James Docherty, which set the tone for the rest of the event. It was both spiritual and humorous, as Father Docherty spoke about the importance of Tommy’s Catholic faith, while also raising more than a few laughs with some funny asides.

He was followed by Brendan Sweeney of the Celtic Graves Society, who introduced the event - the 40th organised by the CGS - while also paying his own tribute as a Celtic supporter to Tommy Burns.

Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, then spoke about Tommy Burns’ contribution to the club over many years, and in a number of different roles, and why he was known as ‘Mr Celtic’.

Remembering him as a player of great skill and passion, Peter Lawwell also spoke of Tommy’s work as a manager, as the creator of Celtic’s Youth Academy set-up, and also as first-team coach during Gordon Strachan’s tenure as manager.