Northern Ireland favourite reveals how international icon is helping him mature on and off the pitch

The 24-year-old benefited from featuring more regularly at Leyton Orient, and now he is impressing at Swansea City.

Since making his senior international bow in September 2019 against Luxembourg, he has earned nine caps.

The former Manchester United youth player is now showcasing his talent in Michael O’Neill’s exciting, youthful side.

Final preparations are being made for huge games against Slovakia on Friday and Germany on Monday at Windsor Park in the close fight for World Cup qualification from Group A.

A victory would move Northern Ireland level with group leaders Slovakia on six points.

Galbraith’s resurgence is another positive feature of this evolving side which is threatening to qualify for a major tournament.

“I think I’ve matured quite a lot on and off the pitch,” said the talented midfielder.

“Just being part of the group has been good for me in the last few years.

“I think I’ve got stronger. I know the game more, but it’s also just maturing as a footballer on and off the pitch.

“Davo (Steven Davis) has been a massive help to me. Obviously, the manager as well. But I think all the lads, you learn off everyone. For me as well, the senior midfielders. You take a bit out of everyone.

Northern Ireland legend Steven Davis is now part of manager Michael O’Neill’s backroom staff

“It’s nice to get praise from Swansea fans, but I try not to look at that too much. If you’re doing well or not doing well, you try and not look at it.

“I think form in football is massive. Coming into internationals when you’re doing well at your club, you can always bring it in, so it can only be positive.

“Michael has been great for me. When I wasn’t getting in the squad, he was still checking up, always speaking, and the way he’s drafted me back in, he’s been brilliant for me.

“He made me feel included and I always had a chance of getting back in if I was playing well and playing to the standards expected, so he’s been brilliant for me.”

Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith has been shining for Swansea City

O’Neill’s side kicked-off their bid to reach the 2026 Finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada with a win in Luxembourg and a defeat in Germany.

After a 3-1 win in Luxembourg, some careless defending allowed Germany to triumph by the same scoreline.

However, Group A had already been blown wide open when Slovakia defeated Germany 2-0 in Bratislava.

“The first game was great to sort of kick-off the campaign,” said Galbraith.

“The second game, although we lost, there was a lot to take from it.

I think everyone is buzzing for it. I think with the group we have and how we’ve been playing lately, everyone is excited to get into camp.

“I think being disappointed against a big team shows how we’ve come in the game. We’ve a lot of positives to take and, hopefully, we can go a step further in this one.

“I don’t really know too much about Slovakia, but for them to get a result against Germany, obviously it’s going to be a tough game, but I think for us, at home, we must try and get the fans onside and continue with how we’ve been playing.

“I can’t wait. I think everyone is buzzing for it. I think with the group we have and how we’ve been playing lately, everyone is excited to get into camp.

“For 70 minutes, we were thinking we’re getting out of here with a point and they then show a bit of quality, but it’s something we can learn from.”

Ethan Galbraith looks to control the ball during Northern Ireland’s defeat to Germany

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann described Northern Ireland’s style in Frankfurt as “not brilliant to watch” adding: “It not easy to defend a lot of long balls and not easy to defend a lot of second balls.”

Galbraith was unmoved by those comments, saying: “We just focus on ourselves. I think that’s just part of the game, it shows how frustrated they were trying to break through us. It doesn’t matter how you get a result.

“I think maybe it shows we frustrated them a little bit sometimes, maybe nullified them a bit, but for us, we focus on what we’re doing.

“The stadium was packed. Our fans were quality as they always are. It was a tough game. We’ve done well for 70 minutes and they’ve maybe turned it on a bit and we’ve got a bit tired but we can take plenty of positives from it.”

Ethan Galbraith insists he is enjoying being part of the Northern Ireland set-up

Galbraith also poured praise on his midfield comrade Shea Charles, who oozes class on the big stage.

“Shea’s been unbelievable ever since he came into this squad,” he added.

“I think people forget how young he is (21), but I think he’s a Rolls-Royce of a player.

“Slovakia have an experienced midfield, and that can be massive in football, but if you look at it the other way, how young the team is, I think the legs will help the team. That can also go our way. If we’re on it, we can be a match for anyone as we showed against Germany.

“I’ve had discussions club-wise that I should maybe chip in with more goals and assists so, hopefully, that will come.

“The way the results have gone in the group, the Slovakia and Germany one, you wouldn’t have expected that, so it’s wide open for everyone. I think with the quality of the young players we have, it’s all to play for.”