Tommy Burns laid foundations for Celtic’s modern era success – Tosh McKinlay | OneFootball

Tosh McKinlay insists Tommy Burns laid the foundations for Celtic’s modern day success on and off the park…

Tommy Burns Glasgow Celtic FC Manager 15 September 1996

The former Hoops defender firmly believes his ex-manager set the groundwork for lasting achievement – and that the legendary figure would be proud to see how the present team is performing domestically and in Europe.

Burns’ passing in 2008 deeply affected his loved ones and supporters, yet his legacy endures – from lifting the trophy at Hampden in 1995 to narrowly missing out on the league title with one of the most exciting teams seen since the days of the Lisbon Lions.

Tosh was delivering a £7,000 donation to the annual Troon Taxi Outing on behalf of Celtic FC Foundation

While delivering a £7,000 donation to the annual Troon Taxi Outing on behalf of Celtic FC Foundation, McKinlay, as reported by Daily Record, said: “Tommy would be delighted. I’ve said many times we were unfortunate we didn’t win the league.

“We were one game from being invincible, but we didn’t win it”

“We were one game from being invincible, but we didn’t win it. I think that team deserved to win the league. But Tommy would be delighted with how it’s going for Celtic now. I think he laid the foundations for what you’re seeing now for a very successful Celtic football club.

Tosh McKinlay, Celtic FC 12 January 1996 Photo Mary Evans Allstar David Gadd (IMAGO).

“This team, all the managers, have now won 40 trophies in the last 15, 20 years”

“It was six years without a trophy back then, but I think now there’s about 40 odd trophies under Celtic’s belt since. I remember when it was the Lions’ 50th anniversary and I said they’d won a quarter of the trophies Celtic had won in their history. This team, all the managers, have now won 40 trophies in the last 15, 20 years. It’s incredible and long may that continue.”

McKinlay shared a Celtic dressing room filled with players who were deeply rooted in the club’s history and culture. Now, he is delighted to see that tradition continuing in the current era of success, especially with Kieran Tierney’s return bolstering the core of homegrown talent in the squad.

He said: “In my time I was fortunate – Paul McStay, Tom Boyd, John Collins, Peter Grant, Packie Bonner and, latterly, Charlie Nicholas was still there. So there was a core of real Celtic men in that dressing room. It was easy to fit in.

Pierre van Hooijdonk, (back) Paolo Di Canio (7) celebrate with Jorge Cadete after scoring for Celtic

“Then you sprinkle them with the Three Amigos – van Hooijdonk, Paulo di Canio and Jorge Cadete – plus Andy Thom, Lubomir Moravcik and Mark Viduka. I was very fortunate to play with a lot of these guys. But the core of the Celtic dressing room is very important and Kieran will add to that being back.”

“Callum McGregor’s already there, people like that, Anthony Ralston, James Forrest too”

McKinlay continued: “Callum McGregor’s already there, people like that, Anthony Ralston, James Forrest too. So, it’s very important.

James Forrest and Bobby Lennox at Celtic Park. Photo Celtic FC

“Jamesy’s obviously smashed the record with trophies won, another absolute legend at the club, which was held by the fantastic Bobby Lennox. Jamesy’s another very important figure in the dressing room.”

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