Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is furious Stilian Petrov has been called up for international duty in the middle of the club's festive program and would let his star play in the Valenciana friendly of Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Bulgaria are to play the Spanish regional team in a friendly, and coach Hristo Stoitchkov wanted Petrov in his squad.

"It's especially frustrating, as the Spanish League itself is just closing down for its winter break. And especially since it's Stan Petrov, who's played so many matches already for his country," O'Neill was quoted saying.

He added they paid the player's wages and if they had a match at an awkward time, any settlement of the issue should come down "in our favour."

The December 28 friendly is not part of the FIFA annual scheme and the Bulgarian Football Union is not authorized to sanction its players abroad for not joining it, the BFU Chief Ivan Slavkov commented on Thursday.

Lecce's striker Valeri Bojinov will also miss the Spanish match as his coach insisted he needed the young Bulgarian's fresh strengths.

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