‘People going berserk’ ‘the players were laughing’ ‘fear was real’ Celtic fans react to sixth sub terror

With Celtic cruising 2-0 ahead of St Mirren a very real sense of fear went around Celtic Park.

After the rarity of a quadruple substitution that saw Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah and Luis Palma introduced supporters were puzzled to see James Forrest warming up very vigorously.

Puzzlement changed to panic as the warm-up top came off, number 49 was seen in the dug-out as a SIXTH substitute was being prepared. Stephen Welsh had replaced Maik Nawrocki before the quadruple switch.

All of a sudden fans saw an ineligible player preparing to come on, a 2-0 victory turned into a 3-0 defeat and the SPFL title being handed across the city by a moment of madness or perhaps sabotage.

Some fans raced screaming towards the dug out where they were met with laughter, all was well, relax, calm down, chill out.

But the majority were still in panic mode, unable to understand the madness of a sixth substitute. The daftest decision since Legia Warsaw sent Bartosz Bereszynski on for the last few minutes of a Champions League qualifier at Murrayfield.

Hands up if you went into panic mode or wondered WTF was going on as Celtic made their 6th substitution of the day, bringing on Forrest for Kühn v St Mirren.

I could just imagine all those Rangers fans salivating at the prospect of a points deduction.

Two words: Concussion Sub pic.twitter.com/b49kOTyQsi

— The Fast Lovin’ Sin-Soaked Heathen (@fast_sin) April 13, 2024

There was real concerns across the stadium and on social media that Celtic had broken the rules, fans searched the rules and suddenly some light emerged.

Concussion subs have been discussed in the media from time to time but no-one was really sure what it meant.

Fortunately St Mirren’s decision to replace Elvis Bwomono during the first half was nominated as a concussion sub. Stephen Robinson still had five substitutes to use, for fairness Celtic were also entitled to a sixth substitute.

Forrest was involved in the build up to Idah scoring Celtic’s third goal, the scoreline stands, this morning it isn’t showing as a 3-0 defeat with a Legia Warsaw asterisk against the scoreline.

Funny, lots of people going berserk in main stand.

— Gerry (@Gerry31D) April 13, 2024

Was at the zoo with the family. Mate texted me about the sub. That was it for me….booted a couple of penguins during the parade, ripped the £10 Cornetos out the weans hands, then back home and straight onto Twitter….raging…

— Xenomorph (@Xenomor40696493) April 14, 2024

I was telling everyone round about me who would listen we’ve already made our subs, couldn’t fathom wtf was going on

— Andy (@RamboPengCSC) April 13, 2024

Someone next to us actually went over to alert the dugout (we sit right next to it) the players were laughing. We then relaxed, but the you could tell the rest of the stadium was shocked.

— Allan (@AllanMa84120710) April 13, 2024

Yip, we all did at our section. Fear was real

— Silent P1888v2 (@SilentP1888v2) April 13, 2024

Yes, there was lots of ‘discussion’ and panic looking faces (including mine!!) but I knew we had it sorted……eventually!!

— Fred (@Ganondo20282993) April 13, 2024

Fans all around me shouting, ‘Brendan, Brendan….we’ve already made five subs!!!!’ ?

— James Cant (@DrJamesCant) April 13, 2024

We sit right behind the dug out and some guy ran down from the back shouting at Brendan ?Reo pointed to his head and gave us all the thumbs up .
Panic over ??????

— Theresa Connor ??????? (@TRShalley) April 13, 2024