Football bids farewell to Hoops hero Burns as thousands gather at Parkhead for funeral

Thousands of Celtic fans gathered at Parkhead last Thursday when news of Tommy Burns' death broke

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan arrived with the first-team squad to loud applausefrom those outside  St Mary's church in the Calton area of Glasgow.

Others arriving included Rangers boss Walter Smith and captain Barry Ferguson, and former Scotland and Rangers manager Alex McLeish

Even before guests began arriving, the street outside the church turned green and white as hundreds of fans turned out to pay their respects.

Floral tributes were laid outside the entrance to the church and Celtic scarves hung from the railings.

The coffin was carried into St Mary's by Burns' former Celtic team-mates Danny McGrain, Peter Grant, Pat Bonnar and George McCluskey.

Glasgow Rangers' manager Walter Smith (second right) carries the coffin with of Tommy Burns' former teammates Peter Grant (right) and Danny McGrain (left)

Rangers manager Walter Smith and his assistant Ally McCoist, who were part of the Scotland international coaching set-up with Burns, were also among the pall-bearers.

In a eulogy, former Celtic team-mate Billy Stark described Burns as a "unique and special man".

Stark, his assistant manager at Kilmarnock and Celtic, said: "A list of Tommy's wonderful qualities is endless - a dignified man of principle, his generosity of spirit knew no bounds. He showed great compassion for those less fortunate than himself.

Solemn moment: A fan views the tributes outside Celtic Park

Fans pay tribute as the funeral procession passes Celtic Park

"Tommy Burns treasured three things in life above all others - family, faith and football, particularly Celtic Football Club.

"You would see him on the training ground in the morning, demanding and driven. When he returned from the lunchtime visit to the chapel, he turned into a calm and serene man."

At Celtic Park, a tearful crowd half-a-dozen deep listened to the mass on giant speakers outside the main entrance.

The area outside the ground was awash with the club's green and white colours. Thousands of scarves, strips and flags were left by fans of Celtic and other clubs, including Glasgow rivals Rangers, in tribute.

One tribute read, simply: "God bless you Mr Celtic."

One mourner, 37-year-old Paul Farrell, said Burns' values in life set him apart. "I think he epitomised everything that a Celtic fan should be," he said. "His family was always his first priority.

"After that you have his faith, which was very important to him and I think that gave him a lot of strength especially with his illness.

The congregation gathers for the he funeral service of former Celtic boss Tommy Burns at St Mary's Church, Glasgow

"Tommy kind of understood Celtic fans' joy and our pain. It's quite emotional for a lot of people."

Mourners continued to flood to Celtic Park as the mass progressed. By 1.30pm police estimated that the crowd at the ground had grown up to 10,000 people.

Two women even fainted with the heat and had to be taken to the first aid room for treatment, a police spokeswoman confirmed.