GLASGOW (Reuters) - Former Celtic manager Tommy Burns has died after battling cancer, the club announced on their web site (www.celticfc.co.uk) on Thursday. He was 51.

"It is with great sadness that Celtic confirmed this morning that Tommy Burns has passed away," the club said.

"Tommy, a true Celtic legend and wonderful man, will be sadly missed by us all. Clearly, our thoughts are very much with Tommy's wife Rosemary and his family at this extremely difficult time."

Burns was first treated for skin cancer in 2006, however, it returned two years later and he took leave as a first team coach this season to fight the illness.

He played for Celtic from 1974 until 1989 before joining Kilmarnock in 1990 where he became player-manager two years later and won promotion to the Scottish Premier League in season 92/93.

Burns returned to Celtic as manager in 1994 and won the Scottish Cup a year later.

However, he left the club in 1997 to work as Kenny Dalglish's number two at Newcastle United before become Reading manager.

He later assisted Scotland manager Berti Vogts , a position he kept under Walter Smith and also returned to Celtic again to take charge of youth development under Martin O'Neill.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan replaced O'Neill in 2005 and promoted Burns to first team coach while maintaining a role in youth development.

Burns won eight caps for Scotland .

(Editing by John O'Brien)