Neil Lennon has spoken emotionally about the bond between the Celtic squad under Martin O'Neill, by way of Stiliyan Petrov and John Hartson's cancer diagnoses and Jackie McNamara's aneurysm.
Lennon was speaking alongside Petrov at OTB Sport's UEFA Champions League Final preview night in association with Pepsi Max and Doritos.
"It was incredibly emotional," the Celtic manager said of Petrov's 2013 testimonial at Parkhead, while the Bulgarian was in remission from leukemia.
"For us as a group of players, and for us as individuals. We were thinking 'there but for the grace of God go I'.
"I remember myself and Roddy McDonald, the club doctor, going down to see Stiliyan in the London hospital. Obviously, we were heartbroken and very concerned about him.
"But you can see the outcome in what a strong person he is. He was playing at the Emirates on the Saturday, and five or six days later he is diagnosed with this horrible illness.
"He has come through it with flying colours, we are very proud of him. It is brilliant to see him looking so well.
"At the end - when he was walking around the pitch with Paulina, his wife, and the kids - it really got to me. I had the biggest lump in my throat. It was very emotional for me, personally, and all us guys that were so close together."
Neil Lennon on bonding
Lennon believes that the players' reaction to Petrov was indicative of a wider bond between the squad under Martin O'Neill - one of Celtic's most decorated periods.
"You talk about a special bond, we have a very, very special bond. It is quite unique.
"I speak to Chris [Sutton] on a regular basis, see Stan now and again. I'm in touch with Jackie [McNamara] and Henrik [Larsson] and Johan [Mjallby] was my assistant here.
"It is a great group of players but also a great group of men."
Lennon is particularly wary of how the club has rallied around its alumni in times of real need.
"A few of the boys have had real traumatic experiences over the last 10-15 years. John Hartson had a huge battle with cancer and came through it.
"He has raised so much money for cancer charities and I'm very proud of what he has done. He is a magnificent character - a great lad, a great player and a joy to be around.
"Jackie McNamara had a really unfortunate incident where he had an aneurysm last year, and he has come out of it the other side. I am so grateful to see them back to full health.
"It hurts you. We're friends and we have been friends for 20-odd years. When we get together, it is like we've never been away.
"It is almost like we saw each other yesterday or we were training two days ago. When we get together again, we just pick up where we left off."
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