Widow of Celtic legend Tommy Burns dies after falling ill on Jet2 flight from Tenerife

Celtic legend Tommy Burns' widow Rosemary has sadly passed away after falling ill on a flight home from Tenerife.

It's understood that Rosemary took unwell on a flight home from the Canary Islands to Glasgow in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Jet2 flight was diverted to Cork in Ireland after being forced to make an emergency landing. A source close to the family told Football Scotland that Rosemary had become ill on holiday and had decided to come home early. She died at the age of 69.

Hoops icon Burns met Rosemary when they were both teenagers and they married in June 1980 at St Francis’ Roman Catholic Church in the Gorbals. The couple later had four children Emma, Jenna, Michael, and Jonathan. But Scottish football was left mourning the loss of one of its greatest sons when Parkhead, Kilmarnock and Scotland idol Burns lost his life to skin cancer in May 2008 at the age of just 51.

A true family man, Burns had described Rosemary as his "best friend". He said: "She has been the inspiration in life. I have been with Rosemary since I was 17 and she's the perfect mother, bringing up the kids while I have been involved in football. She is fantastic."

Tributes have been pouring in since the news first emerged yesterday. Kilmarnock posted: "Kilmarnock Football Club is saddened to learn that Rosemary Burns has passed away. Rosemary was at our End of Season Dinner Awards in May to induct her husband Tommy into the Kilmarnock FC Hall of Fame. Our thoughts are with Rosemary’s family and friends at this time."

The Kano Foundation Charity said: "We're extremely sad to hear of the passing of Rosemary Burns, a huge supporter of The Kano Foundation's work we will miss seeing her at our events. May she rest in peace and rise in Glory."

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell added: "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."