Celtic hero Stiliyan Petrov has revealed former manager Martin O'Neill thought he was the MASSEUR when he joined the club - because the midfielder was so overweight.
Petrov joined Celtic back in 1999 under John Barnes but watched the ex-Liverpool star leave under a cloud to be replaced by Martin O'Neill.
The Bulgarian, 40, and the rest of the Celtic stars welcomed the Northern Irishman to the club during a training session.
But he recalls his new manager asking the club doctor "which masseur was doing the bleep test" with the rest of the players at the time - because Petrov was heavier than the rest of his teammates.
Speaking on The Last Word with Stan Collymore, Petrov was asked about O'Neill.
And he explained his first interaction with the boss.
He said: "The first training session we were doing a bleep test and he thought I was one of the masseurs.
"I was overweight.
"I'd dropped to a level 11 and he thought I was the masseur.
"He actually had to go to the doctor and say 'who is the masseur doing the bleep test?'
"The funny thing is, a week later after a week's training, Martin pulled me and said 'Stiliyan, I just want to tell you first of all you have great potential.
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"'I think you can develop, but I will give you six weeks and you have to be nine kilos lighter than you are now, then you'll have a chance to play for me'.
"Those six weeks I had to work on an individual program and work twice as hard as everyone else.
"I was living on grass and dust, I had to do it - I didn't have a choice."
Petrov has always been full of praise for O'Neill as the pair have won nine trophies together during their time at Parkhead.
And he added that he would always run through a brick wall for his gaffer due to the respect he had.
Recalling one key moment in their relationship, Petrove said: "I had a great pre-season and after the second game Martin pulled me and said 'you've done great, I'd like to give you a new contract'.
"Since he told me that and gave me the opportunity I was ready to go through any wall for him. Injury or no injury, if I could move, I'd be there."
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