Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the dramatic final moments of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses following the pitch-side pile-on.
As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range shot from outside the box, and the defender quickly hammered in the loose ball before racing off toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with supporters mobbing the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
This capped an extraordinary comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 midway through the latter period. During the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a fan shouting out and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory earned a fourth-round match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.
"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that range," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant facing off against Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the City players 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 routine actions, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they know how to dictate and slow down a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It takes a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."
Swansea Move
The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at his former club and has swiftly replicated that in his new home. At the London club he joined forces once more with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.
Learning Curve
"I was perhaps a slightly green going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."
National Team Success
His progress reflects that growth for both domestically and internationally, performing well for the Green and White Army, who could still reach the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs fixtures against Germany. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a decisive through ball.
Starting Out
This marks an incredible journey for the player from the local area in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his father, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.
Manchester United Experience
Galbraith's only game for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "It was a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, grinning. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was incredible."
Departing Old Trafford
How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "This turned out quite easy, because I got to the stage where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful 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 first-team games. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."
Welsh Adaptation
It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to the local area, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called player transport, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, the drivers, which ferries players to and from practice and games.
"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to socialize with the guys but I'm planning to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."
Fan Interactions
While playing for his former club, Galbraith would blend in with fans on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
