🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the thrilling final moments of Swansea's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match ended with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles following the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful strike from outside the box, and the defender promptly slammed home the deflection before charging toward the home end to celebrate, with supporters congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This capped an incredible recovery given the team had found themselves down 2-0 during the latter period. In the delirium, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory secured a fourth-round fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right defensive wing after they changed shape. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way Orient approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they understand how to control and neutralize a game. You can think you're all right and then suddenly they will just thread a ball through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a tough attitude and attention just to remain competitive."

Swansea Move

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in Wales. At the London club he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford, before he departed Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without real physicality. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has shown that development for both domestically and internationally, shining for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including two matches games against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Early Days

This marks a remarkable path for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his dad, his father, also a engine room operator, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

His single match for the Red Devils came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was closed owing to conditions of -15C. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I thought I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a small coach driven by club employees, the drivers, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, another squad member, the midfielder – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to interact with the lads but I'm aiming to be the following person to drive independently and on the road. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's frequently playing tricks."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with fans on London's Central line after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim