Martin Petrov says that his close family ties have helped him settle in quickly at Manchester City.

Martin Petrov says that his close family ties have helped him settle in quickly at Manchester City.
The Bulgarian international, signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer, tells MCFCTV.com that, like colleague Dietmar Hamann, his father was a huge influence on his career and that he continues to be.

“I used to get nervous and have a few problems with referees, but now I have my children and a family so I am more patient. I only want to win, and I get a little bit nervous but my father and brother have helped me through the years. My father phones me and tells me to calm down, the referee makes a decision and never changes it so he has helped calm me down.

“He used to tell me off,” he laughs, “but not now that I’m 28 years old! He used to tell me where I was going wrong, but now that I am here and having played in Spain and for Bulgaria he does not need to.

“I am at a good club, with a good manager and great players around me. We’re playing good football, I am getting used to things in England and I hope to stay here.”