Celtic FC 'devastated' by Tommy Burns' widow's death as club leads tributes

Celtic Football Club has paid tribute to Tommy Burns' widow following her death on a flight from Tenerife to Glasgow.

Rosemary Burns, 69, sadly passed away after falling ill on a Jet2 flight on July 3. The plane made an emergency landing in Cork, Ireland, after declaring a mid-air emergency early on Wednesday.

A source close to the family told the Record Rosemary had become unwell while on holiday in the Canaries and boarded an earlier flight home.

They said: "Rosemary became unwell while on holiday in Tenerife. She became ill and felt that she had to get home.

"She decided to end her trip and fly back to Scotland. She got on the plane and became unwell. The flight was supposed to land in Glasgow but it ended up being diverted to Cork."

Celtic FC said the club was "devastated" to learn of Rosemary's death.

A statement reads: "Everyone at Celtic Football Club is devastated to hear of the passing of Rosemary Burns, wife of Celtic legend Tommy Burns. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club, and the entire Celtic Family are with Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan at this desperately sad time."

Kilmarnock FC shared an image of Rosemary at the club's end of season dinner awards earlier this year. The picture shows Rosemary holding a picture of husband Tommy as he was inducted on the club's Hall of Fame.

The tribute from Kilmarnock FC reads: "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."

Rosemary and Tommy met at a disco in Glasgow when they were both 17. 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.

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

A spokesperson for the airline 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."

The Record has approached Celtic Football Club for comment.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.