Tommy Burns turns down Kilmarnock

Celtic youth development officer Tommy Burns has rejected the opportunity to return to Kilmarnock as manager.

Celtic youth development officer Tommy Burns has rejected the opportunity to return to Kilmarnock as manager.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had revealed the Rugby Park club's interest after the Scottish Cup win at Aberdeen.

But Burns insists he wants to remain with the Hoops and pledged his future to Celtic.

The Ayrshire club had approached Celtic for permission to speak to Burns, who left the club in acrimonious circumstances in July 1994.

But Burns insists he wants to remain at Parkhead to oversee the job of spearheading the Celtic youth system.

Burns told the Celtic website: "After lengthy discussions with Martin O'Neill, Ian McLeod and Jim Hone, I've agreed to stay at Celtic in order to continue with the work I've only recently begun."

PA

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