1956 Born December 16 in Glasgow.

1975 Joins Celtic, having started his career with Maryhill Juniors.

1976 Having played for half an hour the previous season against Dundee, Burns makes his full debut in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

1988 Influential member of the Celtic side that wins the Scottish Premier Division and Scottish Cup in the club’s centenary year under the management of Billy McNeill.

1989 Bids an emotional farewell to the Celtic supporters after agreeing a £50,000 move to Kilmarnock.

1992 Handed the Kilmarnock manager’s job on a caretaker basis after the departure of Jim Fleeting. Insists he wants the job permanently and has his wish granted by the Rugby Park board.

1993 Guides Kilmarnock into the Premier Division and his team promptly beat Rangers at Ibrox early in the season thanks to a late winner from Bobby Williamson.

1994 Leads Kilmarnock to the Scottish Cup semi-finals where they only lose out to Rangers. But leaves Kilmarnock in July and is appointed Celtic manager by Fergus McCann. Leads Celtic into the Coca-Cola Cup final against Raith Rovers at Ibrox but it ends in despair as Jimmy Nicholl’s side win on penalties.

1995 Signs Pierre van Hooijdonk from NAC Breda in January. The Dutchman scores on his debut and then helps Celtic to end a six-year trophy famine by netting the winner in the Scottish Cup final against Airdrieonians at Hampden Park.

1996 Celtic lose just one game in the Premier Division but still fail to stop Rangers winning the title. Also lose to Rangers in both cup competitions.

1997 Burns is fined and banned from the touchline for a year after a flare up in an Old Firm derby. The ban is later cut on appeal.Celtic lose the Scottish Cup semi-final replay 1-0 to first division Falkirk at Ibrox. Burns is released from his contract early by Celtic and parts company with the club. Joins up with Kenny Dalglish as assistant at Newcastle United.

1998 Leaves St James’ Park after the dismissal of Dalglish. Appointed manager of Reading after departure of Terry Bullivant.

1999 Sacked by the Royals after a poor run of results at start of 1999-2000 season.

2000 Rejoins Dalglish at Celtic after head coach John Barnes’ exit after the Scottish Cup defeat by Inverness. Takes over youth development officer role after the appointment of Martin O’Neill as manager.

2002 SFA appoints Burns as assistant to Berti Vogts in Scotland set-up. The new management team get off to the worst possible start when they suffer a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of France in first game.

2004 Vogts resigns as Scotland manager but Burns’s stays on as assistant and he is appointed caretaker manager for the friendly against Sweden.Walter Smith is named as new Scotland manager, and keeps Burns as assistant.

2005 Gordon Strachan takes over as Celtic manager, after O’Neill resigns to look after his sick wife. Burns is named first-team coach.

2006 Celtic announce Burns faces treatment for skin cancer, having been diagnosed as suffering from a melanoma. They then announce he has been given the all-clear by doctors after having two lumps removed from his leg.

2007 Eight days after Smith quits as Scotland manager, Burns resigns as assistant and commits himself to Celtic. He had been tipped as a potential successor to Smith but was not invited for an interview.

2008 March 10: Celtic announce Burns will begin receiving treatment for skin cancer again. May 15: Celtic announce Burns has died at the age of 51.