Murty pays tribute to Celtic legend

Reading captain Graeme Murty has paid tribute to former Royals manager Tommy Burns and said his death had put the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League into perspective.

The 33-year-old, who was signed by Burns from York in 1998 during a short-lived spell in charge at the Madejski Stadium, described the Celtic legend as a man of great integrity and character - and an early inspiration in his career.

Scotland international Murty said: "Everything he did showed the character and the integrity of the man.

"I remember the day he was let go. He called me into his office and I had hardly played for him because I had been injured so often.

"Other people might have been looking for someone else to blame but he just said, 'Murts, I'm leaving and I want you to show every day in training what a good player you are'.

"It is a massive loss to the football world and it puts everything in perspective.

"He was such a genuine person and was always the same through good times and bad times.

"He never felt the need to change and that gave me an indication of how I wanted to live my life."

Murty comes from a Celtic-supporting family and recalled the day he first discussed moving to Reading with his father.

He said: "My dad asked who the manager was and as soon as he found out it was Tommy Burns he didn't want to know about the money or anything else, he just told me to sign because Tommy Burns would see me right.

"The last time I saw Tommy was with the Scotland squad and he was giving me loads of grief. But he was always the first to ask about my family. He always took an interest in you as a person."

Burns' tenure at Reading lasted only 18 months from 1997 to 1998 and saw the club relegated to the third tier after moving from Elm Park to the Madejski Stadium.

Chairman John Madejski said: "I was saddened to hear about Tommy's passing and my sympathy goes out from everyone at the club to his family and close friends.

"It is a very young age to be passing away and the news has come as a great shock.

"He was a great personality, always bright and breezy and full of enthusiasm."