ALLY McCoist hopes the tempering of bitter Old Firm rivalry following the death of Tommy Burns can signal the start of a lasting improvement in the relationship between the Celtic and Rangers supporters.
Celtic first-team coach Burns died on Thursday morning and many tributes have been left at Parkhead by fans from both clubs, while Rangers manager Walter Smith and assistant boss McCoist paid their respects at the stadium on Friday.
They received
a warm reception from the Celtic faithful, as have the Rangers fans who have left tributes since Burns lost his cancer battle at the age of 51.
McCoist believes it would be appropriate if the spitefulness in the rivalry diminishes because of both sets of fans' grief for the popular lifelong Celtic man, who was also Scotland's assistant boss under Berti Vogts and Smith.
"If there's any good to come out of it, that could be Tommy's legacy," said McCoist. "There'd be nothing greater. I thought the reception that our football club management got at Celtic Park was outstanding.
"The way the fans showed their respect for Tommy doesn't surprise me.
"It's absolutely fantastic, absolutely marvellous, but in no way does it surprise me because he deserves everything."
Rangers were still in Manchester following their UEFA Cup final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg when the news of Burns' death was announced.
McCoist said: "The Celtic officials were very keen to tell me there were a lot of buses stop on the way back from Manchester wanting to pay respect to Tommy at Celtic Park.
"They were warmly welcomed by everyone at Celtic Football Club."
The full article contains 274 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
