Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the nail-biting final moments of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses amid the post-goal scrum.
As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative strike from 25 yards, and his teammate immediately hammered in the loose ball before sprinting toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
The result capped an unbelievable turnaround given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the delirium, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan shouting out and we were wondering: '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 humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory secured a fourth-round fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's volley from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.
"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the City players who complimented the way Orient approached the match.
Opponent's Class
"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the simple things and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they know how to manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be focused at all times of the game. It demands a tough attitude and focus just to stay in the game."
New Chapter
The club were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Leyton Orient and has rapidly done the same in south Wales. At the London club he reunited with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier Salford, before he departed Manchester United.
Learning Curve
"I was likely a slightly green going into men's football. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."
Country Call-ups
He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, performing well for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including both legs fixtures against a football powerhouse. His former international manager, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.
Humble Beginnings
This marks an incredible journey for the kid from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.
Red Devils Debut
His single match for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was sealed owing to conditions of bitter cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was chilly," he says, smiling. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."
Leaving United
How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged 16? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I felt I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."
New Environment
It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.
"My companions include Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to socialize with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's always up to all sorts."
Fan Interactions
During his time at Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on public transport after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
