When Tommy temporarily took the reins once more, and we weren’t disappointed….
Tonight’s opponents are Dundee and 24 years ago this very week we faced the Dens Park side in a midweek game at Paradise.
We weren’t having the best of seasons and Kenny Dalglish who had not long took over on a caretaker basis from John Barnes, added Tommy Burns to his coaching staff three years after his departure as our Manager.
It was a welcome addition for the side and the supporters who had endured a tough season.
Unfortunately for Kenny he came down with a bout of food poisoning and as fate had it, his replacement for the night was none other than that legendary Celt Tommy Burns.
So after three years away he was back patrolling the touchline, well for one night only, but it was much welcome news to the supporters who headed to Celtic Park.
We all knew what to expect under Tommy, Kenny maybe had the final say on team selection, but the players would be instructed to play the Tommy Burns way, the Celtic way.
With a starting line up packed with attacking talent such as Mark Viduka, Tommy Johnson, Stan Petrov and Lubo Moravcik we expect to be treated to some good football, and we weren’t disappointed.
A whirlwind first half saw us score five goals, through a double from both Tommy Johnson and Mark Viduka and a solitary strike from Stan Petrov.
Celtic Park was in dreamland. It was a difficult season, but we put that firmly at the back of our minds as we were treated to a wonderful exhibition of football, with a true Celtic legend at the helm.
We only added one more goal in the second half as Tommy Johnson grabbed his hat trick as the game finished 6-2. Even the infamous Rafael was given an appearance from the bench and looked better than his name suggested such under the magical guidance of TB.
He may only have been in charge for that solitary game, but Tommy more than made his mark yet again. A wonderful night being treated to some excellent football. Let’s hope for something similar tonight.
If ever there was a vote for Celtic’s Favourite Son surely Tommy Burns would win it hands down.
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