Former Celtic and Kilmarnock player and manager Tommy Burns has died after losing his long-running battle with cancer

Tommy Burns

Burns, 51, originally contracted skin cancer in 2006. Although he received treatment, the disease returned in March. The former Scotland international, who spent 15 years as a player at Parkhead and also managed the club for three seasons and in between spent a succesful period as player manager at Killie had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks.

A statement from Celtic on their official website said: "It is with great sadness that Celtic Football Club confirmed this morning that Tommy Burns has passed away. Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man will be sadly missed by us all. Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy's wife Rosemary and his family at this extremely difficult time."

Tommy Burns was an inspiration for many at Celtic, Kilmarnock and of course in the various jobs he did for Scotland and there is no doubt that the Tartan Army will mark his contribution to Scottish Football in a most apporpriate fashion. The thoughts of all of those who saw hime in any of his colours goes out to his family at this time.

He was a legend.