On This Day: Dundee United fans show class in Tommy Burns tribute, excellent Green Brigade display

On This Day in 2008, Celtic travelled to Tannadice in the final game of the 2007/08 SPL season. In the days before the game, Celtic were rocked by the death of legend Tommy Burns. With the title going down to the wire, the club vowed to win the league for Tommy.

Burns made 501 appearances for the club, scoring 83 goals. In that time, he won six leagues, five Scottish Cups and one League Cup. The game would be know as a title for Tommy with a Jan Venegoor of Hesselink header winning the game and title for the Celts on a ground that Burns scored at to help Celtic win the league back in 1981.

Celtic supporter Alex McLaughlan took to Twitter to share his memories of the game and often an unremembered class tribute from the United supporters that show that Burns transcended footballing rivalries. The photos also highlight one of the first Green Brigade displays, paying homage to the Celtic great.

Alex also got a brilliant photo of the helicopter arriving in Dundee…

A laboured first half with both sides creating chances heightened the drama but news filtered through after the hour mark that Aberdeen had taken the lead at Pittodrie sparking scenes of jubilation in the stands.The place erupted nine minutes later when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink rose to meet a Paul Hartley corner and all-but confirm the league title for Celtic.

Five minutes later, Darren Mackie made it 2-0 in Aberdeen sending Tannadice into an ecstasy of celebration. After heartbreak on the final day in 2003 and 2005, Celtic had inflicted some last day pain on Rangers whilst enjoying their league success.They said they would do it for Tommy Burns and they duly delivered.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

1 Comment

  1. David Potter on

    Yes, I’ve always considered Dundee United supporters to be members of the human race, and I hope they survive this year. But why isn’t their game v Kilmarnock not on TV? We all know what game IS on TV, one that has no relevance or interested to man or beast!