Sir Alex Ferguson, Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell and former Celtic captain Paul Lambert were among those to offer tributes.

From outside football, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and First Minister Alex Salmond paid their respects to the man who served Celtic as a player for 15 years, then returned to the club as manager and coach.

Manchester United manager Ferguson said: "It's very sad. He was a real good man."

Burns, who was 51, was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006. Although he received treatment, the disease returned in March this year.

Former Celtic team-mate Davie Provan said Burns "embodied everything good about the club", and Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell added: "I don't think you will find anyone on this earth who will say a bad word about him."

Burns joined Celtic as a teenager in 1973 and went on to play 352 league games for the club, scoring 52 goals, and winning eight Scotland caps.

Former Celtic striker Frank McGarvey, a team-mate of Burns from 1980 to 1985, said: "He was one of Celtic's greatest servants.

"He was one of the good guys, a winner, with a great sense of humour and he will be badly missed by everyone. A good friend has been taken away."

In 1989, Burns moved to Kilmarnock and was given his first job in management there three years later.

The current Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies said: "I'm devastated. I knew he'd had a recurrence but I was still shocked when I heard the news.

"Tommy did a terrific job at Kilmarnock as player and manager. He is held in very high esteem. He was a true gentleman. He always got his teams to play football in the right way."

Burns left Kilmarnock to take the Celtic reins in 1994 and later bossed Reading.

He brought current Royals captain Graeme Murty to the club in 1998, and the Scotland international, who comes from a Celtic-supporting family, recalled the day he first discussed moving to Reading with his father.

Murty said today: "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."

Burns returned to Celtic as first-team coach in 2000, shortly before Martin O'Neill's arrival.

He operated as youth development officer under O'Neill and regained his first-team coaching responsibilities when Gordon Strachan became manager, while also taking on the role as head of youth.

Burns had become Scotland number two in 2002 under Berti Vogts and later held the same part-time position when Walter Smith came in.

In January 2007, Burns cut his ties with the Scotland team when he was not offered an interview for the role of manager, after Smith resigned.

The Scottish FA today described Burns as a "magnificent ambassador" for the game.

"Everyone at the Scottish FA would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time," said a statement from the SFA.

"Tommy's passing is a great loss and he will be sadly missed by us all. He was a true gentleman and a magnificent ambassador for Scottish football."

Former Hoops skipper Lambert knew Burns well and told BBC Radio Scotland: "It's a great loss, no doubt about it.

"His enthusiasm for the game was terrific. He was a very funny man. It was a privilege knowing him."

Alan McInally, who played alongside Burns at Celtic and under him at Kilmarnock, said: "I have memories of Tommy Burns being just the most happy, family-loving individual I think I've ever met in my life."

Prime Minister Brown sent his condolences to Burns' family and commended his footballing beliefs during his time as Celtic boss.

He said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Tommy Burns, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

"His death robs Scottish football of one of its most inspirational figures of modern times and one of the nicest people in football.

"He will go down as one of the all-time great players for Glasgow Celtic."

Mr Brown added: "His belief in good football shone through in his time as Celtic manager, as well as in his service for Scotland and Kilmarnock.

"But perhaps most of all it was his passion and love for his family and for life itself that made Tommy so inspiring. He will be sadly missed by us all."

At Holyrood, First Minister Salmond told MSPs: "Tommy Burns was an outstanding servant to Celtic and to Scotland.

"He was always there at the call of his club and country.

"He will be hugely missed by his family, to whom we send our condolences, and right across the world of football and well beyond."

Following the news of Burns' death, Rangers abandoned plans for a bus ride through Glasgow which was set to follow their appearance in last night's UEFA Cup final.

In a statement, Rangers said: "The club would like to extend its sincere condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time."

Motherwell also expressed their "deep sadness".

Burns signed Phil O'Donnell from Motherwell for Celtic in 1994 and spoke of his grief when the Fir Park captain died from heart failure in December.

A club statement read: "Motherwell FC have been all too familiar with grief in recent times and received help from all quarters, including immeasurable support from Celtic and indeed, Tommy Burns himself."

Former Scotland and Rangers manager Alex McLeish played with Burns in the national team. He also played against him, as an Aberdeen player, for many years.

McLeish, now boss at Birmingham, told Sky Sports News: "I remember Tommy from his Scotland days as a very witty guy.

"If you said something stupid, then Tommy would pounce upon it and he was alwsys ready with a quip."

McLeish praised Burns' down-to-earth nature, which he contrasted with the attitude of some modern highly-paid players.

"He was a fantastically humble guy, never forgot his roots," said McLeish.

"Tommy Burns was a genuine human being and a fantastic player, a fantastic coach, a Celtic legend, and he'll be sadly missed."