THE son of a Celtic legend has been revealed as a candidate for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Party.
Stiliyan Petrov Jnr, whose father Stiliyan played for the Hoops from 1999 to 2006, has released a video promoting the party and its policies.
Petrov said he is standing for Reform because he believes in “common sense politics” and has “had enough" of Labour and the Tories.
He said in the 90-second video shared by Reform UK: “Look around, this Labour government and the previous Conservative government have constantly been lying to us, false promises and making us wait."
Filmed playing keepie-uppie, he added: “Well, I’ve had enough. It’s time for me to step up to the challenge and make real change that matters.
“I believe in common-sense politics.
Meet Stiliyan Petrov, our candidate for Lapworth & West Kenilworth. He’s ready to fix his local area by cutting wasteful spending, lowering council tax and ensuring proper funding for key public services. pic.twitter.com/9htnJiabOW
— Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) April 9, 2025
“I believe we should have lower taxes, safer streets and infrastructure that actually benefits everyone as opposed to having potholes everywhere on the road and getting punctures.”
He spoke about his electrical apprenticeship and starting out in work.
He said: “I think it's time the working class people and the youth of this country have a voice that’ll actually represent them.
“When I started my electrical apprenticeship, I didn’t have any idea what I was doing, I couldn’t tell you how to even wire up a light.
“But as time goes on, you gain that experience, and it’s not going to be an easy journey; it will be hard.
“You have to think on your feet, you have to do what’s best in that situation, and I think that’s what's really going to benefit me.
“I’m not looking to become a career politician, I’m looking to help the people of this area and hopefully the country one day.
“And just create real change in this country.
“We need to end this wasteful spending on a national level and a local level.
“Reform UK stand for practical people like me and want change and will ensure change.”
He is standing as the Reform UK candidate for Lapworth & West Kenilworth, south of Birmingham.
Petrov’s dad moved from Bulgaria to Scotland when he joined Celtic from CSKA Sofia in 1999 and enjoyed success before moving to Aston Villa in 2006.
Petrov won four league titles with Celtic and a treble in 2000/01.
He was a huge favourite with the fans and the relationship continued with the ex-player receiving support when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.
Celtic fans reacted negatively to the news that the younger Petrov will stand for Reform.
"Your da is ashamed of you ya wee dick," one wrote on social media.
"Not a chance, that’s actually his son," another added. "Get to f*** man."
Others called out his claims to be working class, writing: "Calling yourself working class in a video of you kicking a ball about in your professional footballer dad's massive garden is so so funny."
