Today thousands of his fellow supporters showed the strength of their bond with Burns as they turned out to pay their final respects.

An estimated 20,000 fans flocked to Celtic Park to applaud the funeral cortege as it passed through a sea of strips, scarves and banners.

Hundreds more gathered outside the funeral service at St Mary's Church in nearby Calton, where Burns grew up, and some of the busiest roads in the east end of Glasgow were closed as fans lined up to give Burns a final farewell.

But it is not just Celtic men, women and children who have been affected by the loss of Burns to cancer at the age of 51.

Joining former Celtic players Peter Grant, Pat Bonner, George McCluskey and Danny McGrain as pall-bearers were Rangers management duo Walter Smith and Ally McCoist.

Those two men did much to undermine his spell as Celtic manager, when his attractive team could not stop Rangers equalling the Parkhead side's record of nine titles in a row.

Yet Burns put aside any awkwardness to remain on the Scotland coaching staff when Smith and McCoist took over in 2004.

They became great friends, just as Gordon Strachan, who fought out a fierce rivalry on the pitch with Burns as an Aberdeen player in the 1980s, later realised he was a "world champion" among men.

A tearful Strachan last week said his friendship with Burns had been the best thing about becoming Celtic manager.

Another former Aberdeen midfielder, Billy Stark, had become close to Burns many years before and he paid tribute to his friend in an emotional eulogy.

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

His former Celtic team-mate saw up close the footballing qualities of Burns, who won six championships with the club he served for 25 years.

"Graceful, elegant, classy and a cultured left foot. Full of poise on the ball, he always wanted the ball, head up looking to play that killer pass - a player of real craft," Stark added.

But it was his empathy with the fans that made Burns a true Celtic legend. Stark revealed that the left-footed midfielder would always volunteer to attend supporters' functions while others looked to avoid them.

"From his roots playing football here in Calton with his pal Gerry Collins, through to playing with and managing his beloved Celtic, he never changed his view he was a supporter who got lucky," Stark added.

Among the mourners at St Mary's, where Celtic founder Brother Walfrid first discussed the idea of setting up a club to help the east end's poor in 1887, were players Burns signed as Celtic manager, including Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Burns transformed the club but one Scottish Cup triumph in three years was scant reward for putting together an attractive team.

Stark, however, explained why his spell in charge will always be remembered fondly by fans.

"He insisted they play in the best traditions of the club, going forward, playing attacking football."

Stark, his assistant at Kilmarnock and Parkhead, spoke of a "unique" personality who made all people feel special, for example allowing long-serving masseur Jimmy Steel to lead Celtic out at the 1995 final.

He told of Burns' "devotion" to wife Rosemary and his four children, and later his grandson Cole.

"I remember when I became a team-mate," Stark said. "I had never seen a man so content with his life. Playing for Celtic in their centenary year then returning to his family."

He also remembered a man of devout faith who would transform from a "determined and driven" football coach into a "calm and serene" man following his daily visit to chapel.

Stark spoke of the former Reading manager's patriotism and his disappointment that he could not add to his eight Scotland caps in the 1982 World Cup, when he was put on stand-by by Jock Stein.

"As usual Tommy took to humour and for years to come said his bag was still packed ready to go," Stark said.

"A list of Tommy's wonderful qualities is endless - a dignified man of principle, his generosity of spirit knew no bounds."

The tens of thousands of supporters who lined the streets of Glasgow were further testament to that.