STILIYAN PETROV revealed he felt “it was the right time” when he ended his seven-year love affair with Celtic.
The midfielder was a virtual unknown outside Bulgaria when John Barnes made him one of his first signings during his ill-fated and brief stay as Hoops boss.
Petrov arrived in a £1.8million move from CSKA Sofia in July 1999 and quit in August 2006 when his former Parkhead boss Martin O’Neill lured him to Aston Villa in a £6.5million switch.
The all-action performer admitted he was in for a major surprise when he transferred from Glasgow to the Midlands.
PICK IT OUT…Stiliyan Petrov goes flat out after sending a header past Rangers keeper Stefan Klos for another memorable Celtic goal.
Petrov said: “I thought when I went to Villa that, after playing so many games for Celtic, playing the European stage, Champions League, finals, winning the league, I was ready.
“I was in shock when I went there. The pace was quicker, the physicality, the quality. I found that I had to go another gear.
“I had to change a lot of things in my preparation, in my work, in my fitness.”
The former Celtic fans’ favourite, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “That’s why you go and challenge yourself against players like that.
“For me, I felt it was the right time.
“That’s where the players sometimes have to understand what is important for the club and for yourself, as well.
“I’d signed a new contract with Celtic. They managed to get good money for me. Both sides were happy. I enjoyed my time down at Villa.”
Petrov spent seven years at Villa – the same time span at Celtic – before hanging up his boots.
