Brown and Salmond pay tribute to Burns

Published on Thursday 15 May 2008 23:03

THE scale of respect in which Tommy Burns was held was demonstrated when the Prime Minister and the First Minister were among those who paid tribute to the Celtic legend yesterday.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Burns' death. He said: "His death robs Scottish football of one of its most inspirational figures of modern times and one of the nicest people in football."

Alex Salmond remembered him as "an outstanding servant for Celtic and Scotland" and said: "He always answered the call of club and country and will be hugely missed throughout the world of football and beyond.

"The grit and determination he displayed as a player and coach were very much in evidence during his brave battle against cancer."

Former home secretary John Reid, who is now the Celtic chairman, described Burns' death as "devastating news".

He added: "I had the great fortune to know him a little more than perhaps the ordinary fan, and yet the ordinary fan felt he knew Tommy Burns because Tommy connected with them, and by heavens the Celtic fans will feel a great sense of loss."

Rangers cancelled plans to hold an open top bus parade in Glasgow after the club learned of Burns' death.

The Rangers players had been expected to take part in a parade of honour after returning from the Uefa Cup final in Manchester, but said a public procession would be "wholly inappropriate".

A statement from Ibrox said: "The club would like to extend its sincere condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time."