celtic

When Stan first signed for Celtic expections were extremely high.

He had just been the star man in the Bulgaria team that had drawn with England in the Euro 2000 qualifier.

He was wanted by the top clubs around Europe such as Bayern Munich and Liverpool (and of course Celtic).

Hirsto Stotchcov had said his "potential was limitless".

"Bhoy Wonder"

Unfortunately for Stan - John Barnes was the manager - reason enough to have a bad season. He played Stan out of position. Stan also couldn't speak English and was stuck by himself in what seemed a strange country. These factors combined meant Petrov's performences weren't great and people began to think that Stan wasn't worth the money Celtic had paid for him.

Stan recovered a little though after the winter break and began to perhaps show why there was so much hype about him. This mainly came with Kenny Dalglish as manager.

Stan then won his first piece of silverwear with Celtic putting in a man of the match display in the 2000 League Cup Final against Aberdeen.

His season ended permaturely though when he pulled a hamstring away on International Duty with Bulgaria.

1st of June 2000 Martin O'Neill was appointed manager and the rest as they say is history.

St.Martin told Stan to get fitter and gave him a chance in center mid, Stan never looked back, he scored the winner against Motherwell in the 1st home game of the season and the 7th goal after coming on as a sub against Jeunesse Esch in the UEFA cup. The next match Stan was to play in would change his Celtic career forever. He scored the 2nd goal and a put in a fantastic performence against Rangers in the 6-2 victory at Parkhead.

Stan was a crucial part of Martin O'Neill's side until he broke his leg against St.Johnstone in a night which should have been one of the best of the season. Rangers had slipped up at home to Dundee and Celtic had beaten St.Johnstone 2-1 away from home, the title was 99.9% in the bag. Stan's leg break put a dampner on that though.

The injury meant Stan was out of the League Cup final and the rest of Scottish Cup campaign where he would surely have played and got his medals. He had played his part in though in the cups and the league and his sensational form won him the SPL Young Player Of The Year 2001.

At the league presenation the cheer he received when he lifted the cup showed how much the Celtic fans have taken him to our hearts not just because he's a great player but great guy as well. In An Inside Scottish Football Interview after Stan's wedding was shown live on Bulgarian TV, Jim White said to him so your a big star then, Stan replied "I'm not a big star, I'm just like everyone else"

"Bhoy Wonder" It's True! It's Damn True!