 | FACTFILE Born: 05/07/79 Club: Celtic Position: Midfielder Debut: 27/03/99 v Belgium |
Stilian Petrov is the star of a new generation hoping to emulate the Hristo Stoitchkov-inspired side which reached the 1994 World Cup semi-finals. He became Bulgaria's most expensive footballing export when he joined Celtic from CSKA Sofia for �3m in 1999.
The Bulgaria captain endured a tough first season at Celtic Park but has emerged as a real crowd favourite since the arrival of coach Martin O'Neill.
He has earned a reputution as an industrious, goalscoring midfielder.
Petrov, who took over as national skipper last April, was named the Scottish Premier League's Young Player of the Year after helping Celtic to the treble in 2001 and voted was voted his country's player of the year in 2003.
He led by example throughout qualifying, netting crucial goals in victories against Belgium and Croatia.
Did you know? Petrov's Celtic team-mates Johan Mjallby and Magnus Hedman will be in opposition for group rivals Sweden.
MMIX
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