STAN PETROV took part in a Celtic Foundation Q&A with fans on Twitter earlier today, ahead of A Match for Cancer at Celtic Park on 8 September. It was mostly Celtic supporters asking the questions with a few from Aston Villa and Liverpool joining in too. Here’s some of the questions, and Stan’s answers…
???????? @StanPetrov19 is ready for today’s Q&A!
What would you like to #AskPetrov? ????#AMatchForCancer pic.twitter.com/6wWxTVZGei
— Celtic FC Foundation (@FoundationCFC) August 28, 2018
Do you think the current team are good enough to emulate the UEFA Cup run to Seville that you were a part of?
Stan: “It’ll be difficult but not impossible. I think there are a lot of strong teams in the Europa League this year. Won’t be easy but we all hope so.”
Which medal do you most cherish from your time at Celtic?
Stan: “My first league winners’ medal. It was the beginning of a special journey for us.”
What is the best stadium you’ve ever played in?
Stan: “Celtic Park. The atmosphere is the best.”
Favourite celtic shirt?
Stan: I really like the current one but my favourite as a player was the 2002/03 Hoops jersey.
Favourite Celtic fan chant/song?
Stan: “Hail Hail the Celts are Here! The Celtic Song was always my favourite. It gave me goosebumps.”
If you could pick a combined Celtic & Villa XI from the players you played with who would you pick?
Stan: “Henrik, Lubo, Naka, Johan and Bobo from Celtic and Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, James Milner, Shay Given and Martin Laursen from Aston Villa.”
Did you ever think about coming back to play in a club in Bulgaria?
Stan: “I would have loved to but I was never asked!”
What current team’s midfield would you love to slot into?
Stan: “Very good question. I would say Luka Modric is currently the best midfielder in the world so it would have to be Real Madrid.”
Stan, which Liverpool legend are you most looking forward to playing against on Saturday 8 September?
Stan: “I have played against Dirk Kuyt, James Milner and I’ve played with Jamie Redknapp so I’m looking forward to playing against Jamie!”
(Paul Lamb) Which player in the current team do you wish you had played alongside? Best wishes from a fellow Blood cancer survivor.
Stan: “I know how precious life is and we both know how important it is to help others by inspiring them to raise money, awareness and become part of other people’s journey. Always with a positive mind.
“Good luck to you Paul and I hope to see you on the 8th!”
Best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom?
Stan: “My dad always said “keep your feet on the ground, appreciate and respect”. I always stick to these principles.”
If asked, would you go into Football management?
Stan: “I have done my A license and I’ll be doing my pro license next year. One day I would love to manage. Brendan Rodgers makes his team play attractive football and it’ll be good to see him again alongside Jurgen Klopp next weekend.”
Who was the best midfield player you played with?
Stan: “There are so many good midfielders but I would have to say Shunsuke Nakamura. Great football awareness. Classy all round.”
Did you have a better time at Celtic or Aston Villa?
Stan: “I had great times at both clubs. People always want me to compare but I also say I’m proud to have played with two great clubs. Two incredible European winners.”
Who was the toughest player you ever worked alongside in your career?
Stan: “Johan Mjällby and Bobo Balde. They were frightening. When they made a challenge you would move away!”
Any aspiring footballers in the petrov household? Future celtic players maybe?
Stan: “I have 15-year-old goalkeeper and an 11-year-old midfielder. The goalkeeper supports Celtic and the midfielder is a Liverpool fan. Both dreaming of becoming football players. I always say to them if they want to achieve their dreams they have to work hard!”
What was your proudest moment at Paradise?
Stan: “My charity game in 2013. It was then I fully realised the support, the love and everything I managed to achieve with Celtic. It showed just how special this club is.”
Just how good was Lubo?
Stan: “He was exceptional. Skills, awareness, great human being and a very supportive teammate. It’s always great to see Lubo and I’m looking forward to seeing him next weekend for A Match For Cancer. We are still trying to figure out his strongest foot!”
Would you have done anything differently in your career, knowing what you know now?
Stan: “No. If I was offered the same path I would have followed and worked at it strongly. I’m proud with what I have achieved as a person and a player. No regrets.”
Tell us why you worked in the burger van when you first came to Celtic?
Stan: “I wasn’t actually working there, I was just hanging around the burger van to learn the language! It was a great experience!”
Who was your toughest opponent throughout your career?
Stan: “Pablo Aimar and Juan Román Riquelme. They were very intelligent players. I struggled to get near them, they were very difficult to mark!”
Best game you’ve watched as a fan?
Stan: The World Cup quarter-final, Bulgaria beating Germany in 1994. I was a young and proud Bulgarian to watch the national team play so well in such a big occasion.”
Who was your footballing icon growing up Stan?
Stan: “Hristo Stoichkov and Marco van Basten. They were both incredible strikers. Stoichkov is obviously Bulgarian and it’ll be great to see him at Celtic Park for A Match For Cancer.”
Which current Celtic player would you have loved to play alongside?
Stan: “I played beside Scott Brown in a few charity games but I would also love to play alongside Kieran Tierney. Young, exciting and promising full-back.”
Favourite player to play along side?
Stan: “Henrik Larsson. He was the complete player. Match-winner and a great example of how to be a professional.”
Best game you played in?
Stan: “The 6-2 win against Rangers at Celtic Park. Incredible atmosphere and was an amazing result for the Bhoys.”
Favourite goal for Celtic?
Stan: “It was from the same game. My header to make it 2-0. It was a great delivery from Lubo!”
We’re so grateful to our supporters at @CelticFC & @SPFoundation19! Soon to come, A Match for Cancer will see @StanPetrov19 and @JamesMilner go head to head with a host of special guests from football & entertainment. Kick off:8th Sept(2pm)Tickets⚽️➡️ https://t.co/Kq9OY47bdF pic.twitter.com/fZxIn5xh7w
— Glasgow Children’s (@GCH_Charity) August 27, 2018
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