Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear amid the pitch-side pile-on.
With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess immediately converted the deflection before charging toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
This capped an incredible recovery given Swansea had been behind 2-0 midway through the second half. During the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: '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 humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory earned a upcoming fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.
"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before switching to right defensive wing after they changed formation. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way the underdogs attacked the game.
Guardiola's System
"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to manage and neutralize a game. You can think you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just thread a ball through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It takes a tough attitude and concentration just to remain competitive."
New Chapter
The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign 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 done the same in south Wales. At the London club he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at League Two Salford, before he moved on from Manchester United.
Growth Journey
"I was likely a slightly green going into senior level. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without much intensity. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."
National Team Success
He has demonstrated that development for his team and nation, shining for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including home and away games against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a game-changing assist.
Early Days
This represents an incredible journey for the player from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his father, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.
Manchester United Experience
Galbraith's single match for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was chilly," he comments, grinning. "The days leading up, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."
Departing Old Trafford
What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I thought I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm steadily progressing again."
Life in Swansea
It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.
"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to spend time with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."
Supporter Connections
During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on London's Central line after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
