Ethan Galbraith says Nations League key as Northern Ireland look to bounce back
Ethan Galbraith has underlined the importance of the next Nations League campaign as Northern Ireland seek to recover from World Cup disappointment.
Northern Ireland were knocked out of World Cup contention by Italy on Thursday, having advanced to the play-offs through their Nations League ranking.
Michael O’Neill’s side topped their League C group in 2024 and can now look forward to a League B campaign against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine in the autumn.
“The Nations League will be huge because the last campaign showed how important it is to finish high up in the group,” Galbraith said after Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Wales in Cardiff.
“The group will be tough but we’ve shown that we can go toe to toe with any team.
“We were all gutted after the Italy game, but the industry we’re in we can’t dwell on things.
“Wales are a top side in League A so to show a performance against a team like that was great.”
Galbraith has arguably been Swansea’s best player since joining from Leyton Orient for £1.5million last summer.
The 24-year-old was called Northern Ireland’s “little Iniesta or Xavi” by former manager Ian Baraclough, but the former Manchester United player has often found himself out of position at right-back in the Championship due to injuries.
“I won’t lie. Right-back wouldn’t be my favourite position,” Galbraith said.
“I’ll always do it for the team, but primarily I’m a midfielder. That’s where I want to play.
“We’ve had a few injuries and I’ve been asked to fill in.”
Northern Ireland boss O’Neill has no doubts that Galbraith is best suited for a midfield role.
“I think versatility comes generally with two things: athleticism or you’re a really intelligent footballer and Ethan obviously comes into the latter category,” O’Neill said.
“Where he has improved is physically in the Championship. He’s able to compete, he covers the ground, his physical data is high, but it’s his ability to attain the ball, his technical level is extremely high.
“For me, his best position is definitely in midfield in our team. I think we’ve played him deeper, we’ve played him higher as a 10.
“When we play him higher as a 10 and Conor Bradley on the right-hand side, they combine extremely well.
“His versatility is a sign of the football intelligence and shows us what a top-class player he can still develop into.”