🔗 Share this article

Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of Swansea's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a spectator's eyewear after the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith cracked the upright with a powerful effort from 25 yards, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the loose ball before sprinting toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory completed an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator trying to get our attention 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 individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win earned a next round fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith ran close at the same stage of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right wing-back after Orient changed formation. That meant facing off against City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way his former team approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the basics and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they always find their target and they understand how to control and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and attention just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has rapidly replicated that in south Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a slightly green going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without much intensity. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that growth for his team and nation, shining for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including home and away games against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Early Days

This represents an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who used to see his father, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

Galbraith's only game for Manchester United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they competed on an plastic turf and the arena covering was closed owing to conditions of -15C. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he recalls, chuckling. "The preceding week, the academy prospects trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I realized I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it became apparent where I felt I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, an Ivorian player – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the following person to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's frequently playing tricks."

Supporter Connections

During his time at Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on the Tube after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim