Burns Loses Battle With Cancer

Former Reading manager Tommy Burns, has died of skin cancer at the age of 51.

Burns, best known for his time as a player and manager at Celtic, had an unsuccessful spell as Reading manager between 1998-99.

He made his mark with the Royals, making a record breaking 7 signings on transfer deadline day of the 97/98 season, but was unable to prevent them from being relegated and was later sacked after a poor start to the 1999/2000 campaign.

Perhaps Burns` biggest achievement at Reading was the signing of Graeme Murty from York City. Murty has since gone on to play over 300 games for the Royals and is the club captain.

Although sadly he didn`t bring success to Reading, he was a Scotland and Celtic legend and a true gentleman off the pitch.

Celtic`s 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.'

Burns originally contracted skin cancer in 2006 and despite receiving treatment, the disease returned in March.

Recently he had been receiving treatment for the disease in Glasgow and France but unfortunately lost his battle this morning.

Despite the unsuccessful spell at Reading, Tommy will be sorely missed and our thoughts go out to his wife Rosemary, and his four children.