It was a straightforward start to the Singapore Cup for Albirex Niigata (S) last Saturday (1 November 2025), as they eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Geylang International – courtesy of a Shingo Nakano hat-trick.

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Albirex midfielder Gallagher remained grounded, insisting that there is still a lot of work ahead of his White Swans as they look to build on the Geylang result. 

“It’s a positive start, but there is still plenty of room for improvement both individually and collectively,” said Gallagher.

“We were a little sloppy and did not play at our desired tempo. But in the group stage, all that matters is getting the three points.” 

The 23-year-old was an assured presence in the heart of midfield, keeping possession and pushing high up the pitch to break a compact Geylang defence down. 

He has earned a reputation as a hard-working defensive midfielder, but Gallagher has found a new lease of life under Albirex head coach Keiji Shigetomi. Now granted the license to push forward, he has added a fresh layer of dynamism to his game.

“Our system allows me to get forward and make late runs into the box, which is something that I enjoy. As long as I can contribute in a way that helps the team, it’s a role I definitely welcome,” said Gallagher

With Naoki Yoshioka occupying the deep midfield role, their partnership in the middle will be crucial as Albirex take on Balestier Khalsa at the Jurong East Stadium on Matchday 2 of the Singapore Cup on Thursday, 6 Nov.

The Tigers are in fine form, having seen off Tanjong Pagar United 3-0 in their opening match, leaving them level on points with Albirex at the top of the Singapore Cup group stage standings.

“They showed their quality against Tanjong Pagar, so it will be a good game,” said Gallagher, who featured in his side’s opening day 2-2 draw with Balestier in the Singapore Premier League (SPL). “We are eager to show how much we have grown since then, so we want to play with more energy and at a higher tempo.” 

That drive for improvement has been shaped by the professional environment Gallagher immersed himself in since signing for Albirex in June. 

“The standards at the club come from their drive to succeed, which is something I align with,” said Gallagher.

“The players here have been pushing themselves since the first day of pre-season, and that mentality shows in the way we play.” 

Besides his qualities on the pitch, Gallagher has also embraced leadership responsibilities at the club, having already donned the captain’s armband on multiple occasions. 

“I do not feel any extra pressure from being a leader, instead, it positively impacts my game as I take more pride and ownership in what I’m doing,” he said.  “It’s now on me to maintain my standards in every training session and match.” 

With the White Swans enduring a difficult campaign in the 2024/25 season, Gallagher is determined to make his mark on a side that is looking to rise to its former glory – starting with this season’s Singapore Cup.

“I want to help Albirex bounce back from their disappointments last year. It’s going to take time, but we are consistently growing and working as a group,” said Gallagher. 

“After all, we owe it to ourselves, the club, and the fans to get Albirex back to where it belongs – challenging for every title.”

Tickets for Singapore Cup 2025/26 are available on Trip.com.