Burchillis devastated atnewsof mateMiller
FORMER CELTIC star Mark Burchill admits he felt as if he had been hit by a train after learning his former team-mate Liam Miller had cancer.
Burchill is still coming to terms with the fact his close friend now faces a battle for his life aged just 36.
The 37-year-old insists both players, who came through the Hoops youth system, shared the same dream which was to simply feature in the Celtic first team.
Burchill, whose father died of pancreatic cancer, said: “I am completely and utterly stunned. It’s a real shock – I’m devastated. It was like being hit by a train.
“Liam is such a fantastic guy, a genuine person who was an unbelievable football player.
“You won’t meet anyone who played with Liam who didn’t like him. He was quiet in the dressing room but a brilliant bloke to have as a team-mate.
“We hit it off the first time I met him which was when he came over from Ireland to Celtic on trial.
“In a dressing room, you become close to people quickly and we were almost like family.
“When you hear this happening to somebody like Liam then it does affect you.
“He is a strong character and I would be amazed if he doesn’t beat this and win this battle.
“He is that kind of guy, a real fighter. I have amazing memories of when we were all kids together and we shared the same dream of wanting to play for Celtic.
“I actually bumped into Liam at an airport about six months ago and we had a great catch up.
“He is only 36 and it’s a horrendous disease to get at that age. If he needs anything from me then I’m here for him.”
Meanwhile, Burchill reckons Celtic and Scotland superstar Kieran Tierney doesn’t need any of his advice on how to succeed in the game.
Burchill said: “I don’t think Kieran needs a lot of advice.
“Whatever he does he will be a success because he has that type of character.”
Burchill was speaking as he joined Scottish women’s football hero Julie Fleeting to make the draw for the semi-final of the Irn-Bru Cup.
The last four pairings will see Inverness host Northern Irish outfit Crusaders and Welsh side TNS face Dumbarton.