Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the nail-biting dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles amid the post-goal scrum.
During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and the defender quickly hammered in the loose ball before racing off toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with the crowd congregating around the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
The victory capped an unbelievable turnaround given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the latter period. Amid the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."
Premier League Giants
The victory booked a upcoming match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.
"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that range," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right flank after they changed formation. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the City players who praised the way his former team played positively.
Opponent's Class
"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they always find their target and they know how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're all right and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and concentration just to stay in the game."
Welsh Transition
The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has swiftly replicated that in his new home. At the London club he joined forces once more with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier Salford, before he moved on from Old Trafford.
Growth Journey
"I was perhaps a bit naive going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."
International Recognition
He has demonstrated that development for his team and nation, shining for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including two matches games against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.
Early Days
It has been quite the ride for the youngster from the local area in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a central player, play for his father's team.
Manchester United Experience
The player's single match for United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they played on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was shut owing to conditions of bitter cold. "This represented a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, grinning. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."
Leaving United
How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it got to the point where I felt I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually progressing again."
New Environment
It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a minibus driven by academy staff, the transport team, which ferries players to and from practice and games.
"I travel with a teammate, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to interact with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one out of the minibus and driving. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."
Public Engagement
During his time at Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on London's Central line after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
