Celtic legend’s tips may help humble the Hoops

IT says much for the legacy of the late Tommy Burns that both rival managers involved in today’s live televised Dingwall clash would list the Celtic legend as a career-changing influence.

Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops manager, has often spoken of how Burns set him on the road to top-level management after drafting him in as Reading’s youth coach.

Opposite number Jim McIntyre, likewise, rates his stint playing under his “biggest” career mentor at the Madejski Stadium as life-changing, given the way it set him on the path to coaching and management.

But while the two occupants of the technical areas might owe Burns a mighty debt of gratitude, one of the players performing in front of them today shares exactly the same lasting appreciation.

Michael Gardyne has clocked up 377 first-team appearances since parting company with Celtic a decade ago.

Frequently, though, Gardyne finds himself drawing on words of advice and guidance from Burns, his Parkhead youth coach, after all these years.

“Tommy was massive at Celtic, for me and for everyone who passed through that set-up,” Gardyne said. “Everyone talks of just what a character he was –and he was. But just from the coaching side, he was brilliant.

“He knew so much about the game and just loved helping young boys come through.

“I remember him stopping training games – the bits young lads don’t like – telling you where you should be on the pitch in relation to the ball. Wee things like that stay with you.

“Just look at some of the great players he coached early in their careers and where they are now. It was incredible.”

Gardyne has always had mischief in his demeanour, particularly in those carefree times at Celtic, and it was a character trait that often infuriated Burns – mainly because he was acutely aware of the Dundonian’s potential.

He has matured greatly over the years, though, bringing a level of consistency to his play that, at 31, has made him both County’s all-time record appearances holder and top club scorer in the modern era.

Much of that he credits to Burns.

“It was a great upbringing. I played there from the age of 12 to 21, and that’s where I learned the game, under great coaches like Tommy,” Gardyne said.

“It has obviously stood me in good stead for the rest of my career. I’ve done alright from it.

“I learned a lot there and, since I left, I’ve learned from new managers as well. But I think Tommy Burns was my main influence while I was coming through the ranks.

“It didn’t matter what age group you were in, he was always there – always conveying sound advice, the kind that stays with you.

“Willie McStay and Kenny McDowall were brilliant as well. I suppose it was good we were similar types of player, myself and Tommy – although he was probably a wee bit better than me!

“But it was a fantastic time, with Jim McInally at Under-16 level as well. Every day, you were learning the game, playing alongside great players.

“Some of the guys I came through with are still playing and went on to bigger things as well. It just shows you how good the coaching there and how well you were taught the game at Celtic.”

Rodgers and his team will be well aware Gardyne, deployed in a wide role, represents one of County’s main threats.

He starred in two of County’s three all-time victories over the Glasgow giants – the Scottish Cup semi-final win of April, 2010 and last year’s triumph in the League Cup semi.

There is a keen appetite for more.

“In the last two games, to get four points was decent,” Gardyne said. “It gives us a bit of confidence going into the Celtic game.

“They have kind of steamrollered the league this season, beating everybody, but we’ve got a little bit of confidence about us and have trained well this week. We’ve worked hard to make sure we’re ready for them.

“Celtic are flying but it is eleven against eleven. In past games, we’ve threatened them and almost gone ahead, a case of what might have been.

“So we just need to make sure we’re set up properly and organised. We’ll take it from there.

“You don’t get nervous for these games. We know how good they are, and we know the way we need to set up to try to hurt them.”