Stan’s still the man so head down on Saturday and stick boot into cancer

I WON’T be playing on the hallowed turf on Saturday for Stiliyan Petrov’s charity game but I will certainly be there.

Stan (inset) is a great mate of mine and both of us have endured the fight against the big C. In his case it was leukemia but we both know what it is like to be ill and fighting to get better. Very few of us haven’t lived through someone we know being affected by cancer in some way or another and games like this are a tremendous way to try to raise valuable funds that go into research against what is a dreadful illness.

I am due to go into hospital to have a little operation to clear up some cartilage in my knee otherwise you can bet I’d have been the first to get my boots on and get on there.

You’ll hear me from the stand, right enough, because there is no way I’d be missing this one. There are some great players who’ll be there – I am sure Celtic fans never tire of getting a chance to see the fabulous Henrik Larsson grace the pitch again – and for me it will be a real thrill to see Hristo Stoichkov again.

I actually made my debut for Wales against Bulgaria back in 1995 – they beat us 3-1 – and Stoichkov was just magnificent. It is a chance for Celtic fans to see a few legends on Saturday afternoon while supporting a great cause into the bargain.

There will be no domestic football now for a couple of weeks so it is a good way to get your Celtic fix.