Widow of Celtic legend Tommy Burns dies on flight from Tenerife to ...

The widow of Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died on a flight from Tenerife to Glasgow.

Rosemary Burns, 69, passed away after falling ill on a Jet2 flight on July 3.

The plane made an emergency landing in Cork, Ireland, after declaring an on-board incident early on Wednesday.

Mrs Burns had become unwell while on holiday in the Canary Islands and boarded an earlier flight home, a source close to the family told Scottish newspaper the Daily Record.

They said: ‘Rosemary became unwell while on holiday in Tenerife. 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.’

Rosemary and Tommy Burns met at a disco in Glasgow when they were both 17 - they married in 1980 and had four children together

Rosemary Burns, 69, is survived by her children Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan and grandchildren

Tommy Burns passed away in 2008 at the age of 51 following a battle with skin cancer

In a statement Celtic said that everyone at the club was ‘devastated’ to learn of Mrs Burns’ passing.

It added: ‘The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club, and the entire Celtic family are with their children, Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan at this desperately sad time.’

A passenger on the plane reportedly said that two passengers with medical training got up to help Mrs Burns as the pilots prepared for landing.

They said: ‘The flight had only been in the air for about 2 hours when the lights went up and the crew asked if anyone with medical training was on board.

‘Staff had already given the lady an oxygen mask to help her breathe. Two passengers then came forward and assisted her for the duration of the flight until it diverted to Cork.’

The plane then descended ‘very quickly’ and within five minutes of landing an ambulance had arrived, according to a Scottish newspaper.

Tributes to Mrs Burns were led by football fans who expressed their condolences to the Burns family.

One person wrote: ‘Extremely sad news to hear Rosemary Burns has passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with the Burns family and their friends. Now at peace with Tommy.’

Another said: ‘It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we extend our sincere condolences to the Burns family on the passing of Rosemary.

‘The beloved wife of legend Tommy Burns. She was a remarkable woman whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of many Celtic fans.’

A third wrote: ‘There will be a warm welcome waiting in heaven for you Rosemary. May you fly high with the angels in heaven.’

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 his death in 2008.

Mr Burns, who served Celtic as player, manager, coach and Head of Youth, passed away at the age of 51 following a battle with skin cancer.

Former Scotland international Mr Burns spent 15 years as a player at Parkhead and also managed the club for three seasons.

He joined Celtic as a teenager in 1973 and went on to play 352 league games for the club, scoring 52 goals, and winning eight Scotland caps.

Former Scotland international Tommy Burns spent 15 years as a player at Parkhead and also managed the club for three seasons

Tommy Burns remains a much-loved figure among Celtic and Scotland football supporters

Tommy Burns joined Celtic as a teenager in 1973 and went on to play 352 league games for the club, scoring 52 goals, and winning eight Scotland caps

In 1989, he moved to Kilmarnock and was given his first job in management there three years later. He left to take the Celtic reins in 1994 but was sacked three years later.

A short spell as boss of Reading followed before Burns became Scotland number two in 2002. He later returned to Celtic as first-team coach and remains a much-loved figure among Celtic supporters.

Speaking after his death, Mrs Burns told the Record: ‘Celtic was everything to Thomas. There were three Fs in his life - faith, football and family. He lived the dream. He never took anything for granted.

‘Celtic was what he loved. He was never out of the club. Angie the washing lady used to say to him: “Are you still here?” because she couldn’t get away until he left and he was still wearing his training gear and she couldn’t leave until it was washed.

‘She went off her head with him and told him: “Have you no got a home to go to?”. For him, his greatest memories were the 1988 double. It was historic to do that in the club’s centenary year.

‘Then, when he won the cup as a manager, that was fantastic and he had a lot of success at Kilmarnock too which was great for us.’

Celtic’s Chairman, Peter Lawwell, said: ‘This is absolutely devastating news. Everyone knew Rosemary as a devoted wife to Tommy, and also a loving mum and grandmother, and all our thoughts and prayers are with Emma, Jenna, Michael and Jonathan, her grandchildren and also with Rosemary’s wider family and many friends who will all be heartbroken at this awful time.’

A spokesperson for Jet2 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.’