Stoichkov frees Petrov to play for Celtic

Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov has backed away from a club-versus-country confrontation with Celtic over midfielder Stilian Petrov.

Petrov, the national team captain, had been included in the squad to play an unusual friendly next Tuesday against a Spanish regional select side.

That comes just 48 hours after the Hoops’ St Stephen's Day clash at Hearts and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill had been keen for the 25-year-old to be spared.

Now Stoichkov – Bulgaria’s greatest ever player – has agreed.

He said: “Stilian is not now coming. I have been speaking with Martin O’Neill and it is not now a problem because it is more important that Stilian stays in Scotland to play important games with Celtic.”

O’Neill has a new headache to deal with however as Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has confirmed he is keen on signing top scorer John Hartson.

The Wales international, who was a regular pick when Hughes was the national team coach, is out of contract at the end of the season.