Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the nail-biting closing stages of Swansea's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses after the post-goal scrum.
With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a long-range effort from 25 yards, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the deflection before sprinting toward the crowd to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.
Stunning Reversal
The result completed an extraordinary turnaround given Swansea had found themselves down 2-0 during the second half. In the delirium, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator sort of calling out and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory secured a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the same stage 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 a teammate's first-time shot from about way out going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.
"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that range," stated Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the City players who complimented the way Orient approached the match.
Guardiola's System
"Athletically they are very good but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they know how to control and neutralize a game. You can feel you're holding your own and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a strong mentality and concentration just to keep pace."
Swansea Move
The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at his former club and has quickly replicated that in south Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he moved on from Manchester United.
Learning Curve
"I was likely a somewhat inexperienced going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."
Country Call-ups
He has demonstrated that development for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the World Cup next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including two matches fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.
Early Days
This marks quite the ride for the player from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his parent, his father, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.
Old Trafford Memory
The player's only game for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was sealed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "This represented a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, chuckling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was amazing."
Leaving United
How difficult was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I believed I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."
New Environment
It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the transport team, which ferries players to and from practice and games.
"I travel with the Portuguese player, another squad member, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to interact with the lads but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and on the road. The Portuguese player is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."
Supporter Connections
When he represented Orient, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on London's Central line after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
