World Cup connections

As the 2010 World Cup in South Africa draws ever closer, we look back at some of those who have played in World Cups and the SPL, continuing with a former Aberdeen midfielder...

World Cup connections No 3 - Ilian Kiriakov
The flame-haired midfielder was part of the Bulgaria team that took the 1994 World Cup in the USA by storm, famously knocking out holders Germany en route to the semi-finals.

It was a remarkable achievement by the squad, inspired by Hristo Stoichkov, as Bulgaria had never before won a single match at the World Cup. They were eventually beaten by Italy in the last four.

Kiriakov won more than 50 caps for his country and landed up in Scotland in the summer of 1996 along with fellow internationalist Tzanko Tzvetanov - the pair signing for Aberdeen.

Full-back Tzvetanov played for two seasons but left for Cottbus before the SPL began. Kiriakov - recruited by Roy Aitken from Famagusta in Cyprus - remained at Pittodrie until the following year. One of his final outings was the amazing 6-5 win against Motherwell under Ebbe Skovdahl.

World Cup connections - No 1 Stephane Guivarc'h

World Cup connections - No 2 Lubo Moravcik