Celtic star Stuart Armstrong tried to save pal Gary Mackay-Steven after he jumped into freezing Glasgow river at 3am
Panicking Hoops ace Armstrong, 25, tried to rescue the Aberdeen winger after watching him plunge into the River Kelvin after a boozy night out
PANICKING Celtic star Stuart Armstrong attempted to rescue Gary Mackay-Steven after he jumped in to a chilly river at 3am, it has emerged.
The Hoops midfielder, 25, tried to save his stricken pal during “high jinks”.
He acted before mercy crews arrived by boat to haul Mackay-Steven, 26, from the fast-flowing River Kelvin in Glasgow.
The former Parkhead team-mates were returning from a night out in the city’s trendy Sanctuary club when the Aberdeen ace leapt in.
Tonight, a pal claimed the winger had been left red-faced after spending nearly 90 minutes in the river.
They said: “The current was quite strong so he couldn’t get back to the bank.
“There was nothing sinister about what happened. It was high jinks which went a bit wrong.
“Gary feels pretty embarrassed about the whole thing and wants to put it behind him.
“He’s very grateful for all the good wishes.”
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Mackay-Steven was snapped returning to his plush Glasgow flat today dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, despite suffering hypothermia in the drama.
Asked how he was feeling, the smiling star replied: “No comment.”
An onlooker said: “He seemed in good spirits considering the ordeal he’s just gone through.
“He smiled when he was asked how he was but quickly made his way up to his flat.
“He looked pretty relaxed as if nothing had happened.”
The Scotland cap, from Thurso, Caithness, was greeted at the door by a young blonde woman, who said: “He can’t talk right now.”
He was later spotted dumping a suitcase in his motor after changing into pink boots, tight blue jeans, a flannel shirt and baseball cap.
Meanwhile ex-Parkhead pal Leigh Griffiths admitted he’d had a giggle after reading our story yesterday.
The striker, 26 — on international duty with Scotland — said: “We were just talking about it with Charlie Mulgrew and Stu Armstrong. It’s so funny.
“Maybe he just wanted to float back up to Thurso — it’s too far away for a taxi.
“I wouldn’t say he’s tight exactly, but if he got a taxi it would cost him a few quid. He maybe just wanted to sit on his back and float until he got there. You wouldn’t expect it of Gary to be fair.
“I don’t know what he was thinking, you’d need to speak to him. It’s good reading for the boys waking up on a Monday morning.”
He added: “These things usually happen to me but I wouldn’t be so silly — I’d pay a taxi to take me home instead of floating there.”
Aberdeen fans led well-wishes for Mackay-Steven, who took to the water hours after being a sub in the Dons’ 4-3 win over Partick Thistle at nearby Firhill.
Derek Ledingham, of supporters group Granite City Reds, said: “He’s entitled to enjoy himself and have a social life.
“He did his work during the day so was out at night with pals, like any other young lad.
“But he’s in the public eye so needs to act a bit more responsibly than others. If he does something silly, it becomes a story.
“The main thing is that he’s okay. It will all be forgotten about in a few days.”
Fans also posted get well soon messages to him on Twitter. Emelia Moray said: “Hope you’re doing OK. Stay strong, keep smiling.”
Marc David added: “Get well soon GMS whatever the circumstances.
“Top player. I’m sure all Aberdeen fans and staff will stand by him.”
And Steven Reith said: “Really sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you are OK. Look forward to seeing you play for Aberdeen again very soon.”
A statement from the Pittodrie club confirmed the winger — who signed from the Hoops in the summer — was involved in an “incident” in the Kelvin.
It added: “He was treated for hypothermia but is now at home and recovering well.
“On behalf of Gary, the club extends its thanks to the emergency services involved.
“The club will not be commenting further on the matter.”
We told how Mackay-Steven leapt in to the river in the early hours of Sunday. He had left the club following an incident inside.
Police and fire crews raced to the scene near the Benalder Street bridge in the city’s west end.
A boat was dispatched and a specialist water rescue team pulled him from the river just after 4am.
He with hypothermia but was later released.
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