🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the nail-biting final moments of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles following the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a powerful effort from distance, and his teammate immediately slammed home the loose ball before charging toward the crowd to mark the goal, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This sealed an unbelievable recovery given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win earned a upcoming fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's long-range effort from about way out going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that distance," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right wing-back after the team changed shape. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the City players who praised the way his former team approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are exceptional but even the basics and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they are adept at control and neutralize a game. You can feel you're all right and then suddenly they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Orient and has rapidly done the same in his new home. At the London club he linked up again with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without much intensity. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that maturation for his team and nation, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including two matches games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a game-changing assist.

Humble Beginnings

This marks a remarkable path for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his parent, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His sole appearance for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to temperatures of -15C. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he recalls, smiling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "It was quite easy, because I reached the point where I understood I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I thought I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm steadily working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to socialize with the guys but I'm aiming to be the following person to drive independently and driving. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

During his time at Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim