CELTIC legend Stiliyan Petrov has received a special UEFA award for gaining over 100 caps for his country.
The former midfielder was presented with a ceremonial cap and a medal from Bulgarian Football Union president and UEFA Executive Committee member Borislav Mihaylov this week.
Petrov received the honour to a standing ovation from a capacity crowd of almost 11,000 fans in Stara Zagora before the the nation’s Under-17 game against Croatia.
The 35-year-old, who made 106 international appearances and captained them at Euro 2004, had his career cut short after being diagnosed with leukemia while at Aston Villa in March 2012. He announced his retirement 14 months later.
He said: “It really is a great honour and privilege to receive this award. The fans showed their best, the atmosphere was really great. I would like to thank everyone.”
Petrov spent seven years at Parkhead after joining from CSKA Sofia for a bargain £2.4million in 1999. .
His former Hoops boss Martin O’Neill took him to Villa in a £6million move nine years ago.
