Hartson and Petrov fought cancer with ‘great courage’

Little wonder John Hartson and Stiliyan Petrov initially cut sombre figures during the pre-match formalities at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It must have crossed their minds that a game like this might have taken place in Glasgow or Birmingham or London, with one of their names on the tickets.

Hartson has overcome testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain.