Celtic 'devastated' following death of Rosemary Burns as club and fans pay tribute

Celtic have paid tribute to Rosemary Burns following the news of her tragic death.

The widow of Hoops legend Tommy Burns passed away after falling ill onboard a Jet2 flight from Tenerife to Glasgow on Wednesday, July 3.

A source close to the family claims that the 69-year-old started to feel unwell while on holiday in the Canaries and boarded an earlier flight home. The plane made an emergency landing in Cork after declaring an on-board emergency.

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Celtic Chairman, Peter Lawwell, has now paid tribute to the much-loved mum and grandmother. Today, July 4, he said: "This is absolutely devastating news. Everyone knew Rosemary as a devoted wife to Tommy, and also a loving mum and grandmother, and all our thoughts and prayers are with Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan, her grandchildren and also with Rosemary’s wider family and many friends who will all be heartbroken at this awful time."

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock FC posted a tribute on social media saying: "Kilmarnock Football Club is saddened to learn that Rosemary Burns has passed away.

"Rosemary was at our End of Season Dinner Awards in May to induct her husband Tommy into the Kilmarnock FC Hall of Fame.

"Our thoughts are with Rosemary’s family and friends at this time."

Fans of the club have been left shattered by the news, one wrote: "RIP Rosemary. Now with her beloved Tommy forever", another added, "Rest in peace Mrs Celtic. Two halves are one again now".

One tribute describes the beloved mum as a 'remarkable woman', it reads: "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we extend our sincere condolences to the Burns family on the passing of Rosemary. The beloved wife of legend Tommy Burns. She was a remarkable woman whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of many Celtic fans."

Jet2 confirmed flight LS176 was diverted to Cork, Ireland, after a passenger became unwell on board in the early hours of Wednesday.

Rosemary and Tommy met as just 17-years-old at a disco in Glasgow. They married in 1980 and went on to have four children together.

The couple were married for 28 years before Tommy's death in 2008. Tommy, who served Celtic as player, manager, coach and Head of Youth, passed away at the age of 51 following a battle with skin cancer.

Speaking after his death, Rosemary told the Record: “Celtic was everything to Thomas. There were three Fs in his life - faith, football and family. He lived the dream. He never took anything for granted.

“Celtic was what he loved. He was never out of the club. Angie the washing lady used to say to him 'are you still here?' because she couldn’t get away until he left and he was still wearing his training gear and she couldn’t leave until it was washed.

“She went off her head with him and told him: ‘Have you no’ got a home to go to?’. For him, his greatest memories were the 1988 double. It was historic to do that in the club’s centenary year.

“Then, when he won the cup as a manager, that was fantastic and he had a lot of success at Kilmarnock too which was great for us.”

A spokesperson for Jet2 said: "We can confirm that flight LS176 from Tenerife to Glasgow diverted to Cork in the early hours of this morning due to a customer requiring medical assistance. The aircraft subsequently departed for Glasgow Airport."

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