LUBO SAYS STAN WAS ALWAYS THE MAN

STILIYAN Petrov last night cranked up the pressure on Steven Gerrard by claiming the Rangers manager now realises just how big a task it will be to close the gap on Celtic.

The former Parkhead star, who scored four goals in Old Firm games, believes the ease which his old team won last Sunday’s derby proved the seven-ina-row champions remained far ahead of even a much-improved challenge from across Glasgow.

And Petrov, whose charity match takes place at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon, believes the fans have now got over the Champions League exit having despatched with Rangers in the two rivals’ first meeting of the season.

Petrov said: “Now Steven will know how far they are from Celtic.

“He will assess the situation, how far they are still away from Celtic.

“My old club got the perfect result and performance and they showed they can play like the champions.

“It will take some

performance to beat them.

“I think the fans have now calmed down after an intense couple of weeks when they did not make the Champions League

“But you know what? They have made the Europa League and beat their rivals Rangers and Parkhead is bouncing again.”

Petrov is excited to be back in Glasgow for another charity game for his foundation which was set up while

Still a hero to the supporters, the Bulgarian is delighted to be back in the city he called home for seven years, during which he won nine major trophies and was voted Young Player of the Year in 2001.

And he’s especially pleased with the calibre of football people who have travelled north for what should be a special Celtic day.

Petrov said: “We’ve got two great managers in Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp and some great players such as John Hartson, James Milner, Scott Brown, Hristo Stoichkov and Jermain Defoe.

“I hope we get a big crowd. I went to visit two hospitals yesterday – Glasgow Children’s Hospital and the Beatson and I heard some inspirational stories.

“The main thing is raising money for these people fighting cancer.

“I had the support of millions of people and they gave me strength and the belief I could make it.”

■ Tickets for A Match for Cancer are now on general sale priced at £14 for adults and £6 for concessions.