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STILIYAN PETROV has carried a heavy burden in recent years but the Celtic fans’ hero admits some things are worth the weight.

The 36-year-old relished the chance to go charging around the Hoops midfield again as part of the Jock Stein charity game at Dunfermline on Sunday.

The playmaker was even more delighted to last more than an hour to take another huge step in his remarkable recovery following his brutal battle with cancer .

Petrov has shed more than four stone after his weight ballooned up to more than 18st due to his intensive treatment after being diagnosed in 2012.

The ravages of the illness meant he could only play a small part in his own benefit game in front of 60,000 at Celtic Park in September 2013.

He fought back and has rebuilt his fitness by training with the Villa kids – even turning out for Wychall Wanderers over-35s in the Sunday leagues.

Just two years on slimline Stan showed he is fighting fit again – and he revealed was mad at boss Murdo MacLeod for taking him off. Petrov said: “I have come a long way. I really enjoyed Sunday. I am getting a bit fitter so I can do a bit more running which makes it even more enjoyable.

“It was a great occasion, great to see the boys and the opposition as well, a lot of guys there who I played against, and the crowd was great.

“I have been training with the Villa Under-21s a couple of times a week. I have been working really hard over the past year and have lost a lot of weight I put on because of the treatment.

(Image: SNS)

“I put on 36 kilos so it’s really difficult. I’ve come from 120 to 92 now. So it’s great I’m able to do more.

“I didn’t want to come off on Sunday. I’ll have a word with Murdo about that!

“I kept trying to do box-to-box runs but I wasn’t quite there. But it’s been so long since I’ve played it was just good to be part of such a great occasion.

“We all used to say the East End Park pitch looked small – it looked very big the other day!”

Petrov was given a hero’s welcome once again by Hoops fans. He was left in tears by the turnout for his match two years ago and said: “Celtic is a family. The supporters helped me when I was going through the toughest time of my life.

“When you are a player and playing for a club like this one with such a special support you never forget it. It was such a special thing to be a part of.

“That’s why we all like to come back and play games like this. We miss the supporters.”

Petrov has been given the all-clear but he’s in no rush to throw himself straight back into full-time football.

He turned down the chance to be a first-team coach at Aston Villa this season but won’t rule out a return at some point. He’s doing his coaching badges and at 36 he has time on his side.

Petrov said: “I was involved at Villa last season when Tim Sherwood took over. He wanted me involved this season but I don’t think I’m ready to be committed to anything like that.

“I have been through a lot, my family has been through a lot, so while I am doing my coaching badges I am working a lot on the foundation. I’m quite busy.

“I have even taken up golf, something I said I would never do. I really enjoy my life at the moment. I am happy doing what I’m doing.

“I do what I want to do and spend time with the family.”