Stiliyan Petrov’s damning reflection on John Barnes and paltry Celtic wage

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has reflected on his difficult early days at the club under manager John Barnes, admitting he celebrated Barnes' dismissal. Speaking on All Out Football, Petrov revealed that he struggled with isolation, a lack of support from Barnes, and a low initial contract worth just £300 per week, which he blamed on a poor agent.

Petrov's fortunes shifted dramatically following the arrival of Martin O'Neill, who challenged him to lose 10 kilos during pre-season. After proving his fitness and quality, O'Neill substantially upgraded the Bulgarian midfielder's weekly wage from £300 to £2,500, setting Petrov on the path to over 300 appearances and 10 trophies.