Pal pays tribute to Burns

BILLY STARK summed up in one phrase the passions of his close friend Tommy Burns – "family, faith and football, particularly Celtic".

Former Celtic player, manager and coach Burns was laid to rest yesterday after he lost his battle against cancer at the age of 51.

Stark, who played with Burns at Parkhead before acting as his number two at Kilmarnock and Celtic, read an emotional eulogy at St Mary's Church in Calton, Glasgow, where Burns was brought up dreaming of playing for the Hoops.

"He made people feel important – all people," Stark said. "The list of Tommy's qualities is endless – a dignified man of principle with a generosity of spirit that knew no boundaries.

"He considered himself a privileged and fortunate man in all areas of his life and showed great compassion for those less fortunate than himself. He had a marvellous sense of humour, a master of the one-liner."

Burns himself had always claimed he was a "fan who got lucky".

As the 20,000 fans who flocked to Celtic Park to pay their final respects would testify, they also felt fortunate that he was one of them.