🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the nail-biting closing stages of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles after the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful strike from distance, and the defender quickly converted the rebound before charging toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an incredible turnaround given the team had been behind 2-0 during the second half. In the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory earned a next round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that far out," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the Manchester squad who praised the way the underdogs attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are very good but even the basics and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they always find their target and they are adept at dictate and slow down a game. You can think you're doing well and then suddenly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It requires a tough attitude and attention just to remain competitive."

Welsh Transition

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across a couple of years at his former club and has swiftly achieved similar status in Wales. At the London club he reunited with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he permanently left Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without real physicality. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that development for his team and nation, shining for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including home and away fixtures against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the kid from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his parent, his father, also a central player, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's only game for Manchester United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to conditions of bitter cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Moving On

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "It was fairly simple, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I believed I required a fresh start, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a minibus driven by club employees, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's enjoyable to spend time with the teammates but I'm planning to be the next one to drive independently and driving. Franco likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on the Tube after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim