“I Wanted Subbed Off 10 Minutes Into Rangers vs Celtic, I Couldn’t Breathe”
Footballers often speak about the intensity of big games, but for Adam Idah, the stakes during a high-profile clash between Rangers and Celtic were more than just sporting. The Republic of Ireland international revealed a deeply personal and startling experience from his career — one that underlines the physical and emotional toll of such high-pressure matches.
The Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic is widely regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The electric atmosphere, fueled by decades of rivalry and passion, can challenge even the most seasoned professionals. For Idah, however, the occasion proved overwhelming, almost immediately after the game began.
“I could feel the intensity as soon as we walked out onto the pitch,” Idah reportedly said. “The noise, the energy, and the expectations — it was suffocating. I couldn’t breathe properly and started to feel dizzy.”
Barely ten minutes into the game, Idah approached his manager with an unusual request: to be substituted. “I felt like I couldn’t continue,” he admitted. “It wasn’t an injury or fatigue; it was something I had never experienced before. I wasn’t just out of breath — I felt like I was drowning in the atmosphere.”
The decision to ask for a substitution was not easy for Idah. Players are conditioned to push through challenges, both physical and mental, but this was different. “As a professional, you want to give your best, especially in games like these. But I knew if I stayed on, I wouldn’t be helping the team.”
The emotional and physical demands of high-stakes matches like the Old Firm derby are immense. The psychological pressure, combined with the intensity of play, can sometimes manifest in unexpected ways. For Idah, the moment served as a reminder of the human side of football.
After the match, he reflected on the experience and sought help to better manage the mental challenges of such high-pressure situations. “It’s not something you prepare for; it just hits you. But I learned a lot from that day and have worked hard to ensure I’m better equipped to handle those situations in the future.”
Idah’s honesty about the episode has sparked conversations about the mental health and well-being of professional athletes. His story is a poignant reminder that even elite footballers are not immune to the pressures of their environment.
Since that match, Idah has focused on building resilience and learning techniques to stay calm under pressure. “I’ve worked with sports psychologists and leaned on my support network to help me grow stronger mentally. It’s part of being a professional, and I’m determined to come back stronger.”
Idah’s experience sheds light on the often-overlooked mental challenges of professional sport. With growing awareness of mental health issues in football, his openness is a powerful step toward normalizing discussions around the psychological struggles athletes face.
As fans, it’s easy to forget that players are human beings, not just performers. For Idah, what happened in that Old Firm derby was a turning point in his career — one that has helped him grow both as a player and as a person.
His story is a testament to the resilience required to thrive in the world of elite football and a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health in sports.
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