Celtic manager Neil Lennon has heaped praise on Stiliyan Petrov after he announced his retirement from the game.
The Aston Villa midfielder has called time on his career after fighting leukaemia to remission and he steps out of the game with plenty of kind words from those who have played with and against him in the past.
Hoops boss Lennon played with Petrov at Celtic between 2000 and 2006 and was quick to praise the courage and bravery of a great man.
"It was a pleasure to play alongside such a great footballer - but I'm even luckier to call him my friend," he said.
"The words he has spoken demonstrate his courage - and show exactly the kind of man he is."
Petrov bows out of the game having helped Celtic win four Scottish Premier League titles (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006), two Scottish Cups (2004 and 2005) and two Scottish League Cups (2000 and 2006).
