🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the dramatic dying seconds of Swansea's remarkable turnaround win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. That match ended with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses amid the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative shot from 25 yards, and his teammate immediately converted the loose ball before charging toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory sealed an extraordinary turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 during the latter period. During the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory booked a fourth-round game at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right defensive wing after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the City players who complimented the way the underdogs approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and simple things, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It feels like they always find their target and they know how to dictate and neutralize a game. You can feel you're doing well and then abruptly they will just fizz a pass between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be alert every second of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and focus just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has rapidly replicated that in Wales. At Orient he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without much intensity. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

His progress reflects that development for his team and nation, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has started the last several matches, including two matches encounters against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

This represents an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his dad, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's sole appearance for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the arena covering was closed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "It was a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, chuckling. "The week before, the academy prospects trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Moving On

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I believed I required a fresh start, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm slowly progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a minibus driven by club employees, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself a teammate, another squad member, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to interact with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the next one to drive independently and driving. Franco is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with supporters on the Tube after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim