Stilian Petrov

GLASGOW, Aug 17 (SW) - Scottish champions Celtic insist that wantaway Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov will not leave Parkhead, saying that they plan to build around him.

Despite signing a contract extension last year, the 27-year-old international has made no secret of his desire to move to England, and a number of clubs – Aston Villa, Blackburn and Fulham among them – are said to be interested in luring the combative midfielder south.

Indeed, rumors of a move to Aston Villa have multiplied since former Celtic boss Martin O’neill took the reigns at Villa Park.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell will have nothing of it. Petrov is going nowhere, he says.

"It is very simple - we do not want to sell him,” he said.

"I repeat, at this stage in the game, we do not want to sell Stilian.

"We want to hang on to him. We want him for the Champions League and we want to strengthen around him. That is where we are at."