Tosh McKinlay has paid tribute to Tommy Burns, hailing the late Celtic manager as the architect behind the club’s modern resurgence both on and off the pitch.

The former full-back believes that much of the current success Celtic enjoy can be traced back to the values and foundations Burns established during his tenure in the 1990s.

Burns’ time in charge may not have delivered the league title, but it ushered in a style of play and spirit that reignited Celtic’s identity. His 1995 Scottish Cup triumph was a pivotal moment in the club’s history, lifting silverware during a turbulent period. Despite falling just short in the league, his side earned widespread admiration for their attacking football and resilience.

McKinlay, who played under Burns during that period, is adamant that the ethos fostered by his former manager continues to resonate throughout the club. He believes the current squad’s domestic dominance and European competitiveness would make Burns proud.

Although Burns passed away in 2008, his influence is still keenly felt by those who played for him and those who have followed in his footsteps. For McKinlay, the spirit of the late Hoops legend is embedded in the very fabric of today’s Celtic.

He said: (RecordSport), “Tommy would be delighted. I’ve said many times we were unfortunate we didn’t win the league.

“We were one game from being invincible, but we didn’t win it. I think that team deserved to win the league. But Tommy would be delighted with how it’s going for Celtic now. I think he laid the foundations for what you’re seeing now for a very successful Celtic football club.”

Burns’ impact stretched beyond results. He was known for his deep love for the club, his commitment to developing young talent, and his unshakable belief in playing football the right way. That philosophy remains a touchstone for the club’s approach even decades later.

The style and swagger of today’s Celtic sides, under Ange Postecoglou and now Brendan Rodgers, share a lineage with Burns’ team, one which set out to entertain and dominate. McKinlay’s comments serve as a reminder that behind every modern triumph, there are figures whose groundwork made it possible.

Celtic’s ongoing success, including their domestic treble last season and regular Champions League appearances, owes a debt to the principles instilled by Burns. His legacy lives on not just in the club’s trophy cabinet but in the footballing identity he helped restore.

For McKinlay and many others connected to Celtic, Burns’ contribution will always be seen as a cornerstone of what the club has become – a legacy built not only on silverware, but on soul.