Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill (L) and Bulgarian coach Stoitchkov have started an argument on whether Stilian Petrov should join the Bulgarian side for a friendly Dec 28. Photo by icnetwork.co.uk/ Sofia News Agency
Bulgaria's football coach Hristo Stoitchkov seems to face further trouble as he is getting his side ready for a Valenciana friendly after Christmas.
Stoitchkov will have to outargue Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in order to get captain Stilian Petrov into the game.
"I can't say I'm overly pleased at the Bulgaria match coming immediately after Christmas," O'Neill said as cited by Tribalfootball.com.
"We pay the player's wages and if they have a match at an awkward time, any settlement of the issue should come down in our favour," the Celtic boss reportedly said.
Bulgaria is to play Valenciana, a region of Spain, on December 28. The forthcoming game already drove Stoitchkov to grips with his teenage favourite Valeri Bojinov, who also refused to take part.
The striker's Italian club, Lecce, wanted him well rested for an encounter with Milan in January. But the refusal is said to have infuriated the Bulgarian coach. According to press reports, Stoitchkov even threatened to kick the teen hotshot out of the full side in case he fails to show up against Valenciana.