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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the thrilling dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear following the post-goal scrum.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from 25 yards, and the defender promptly hammered in the rebound before racing off toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with supporters mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This completed an incredible comeback given Swansea had trailed 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. During the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're individuals, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win secured a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that range," stated Galbraith, who played in the middle before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the opposition who praised the way his former team approached the match.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to manage and slow down a game. You can feel you're doing well and then abruptly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It demands a resilient mindset and focus just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has quickly achieved similar status in his new home. At his previous team he reunited with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."

National Team Success

He has shown that growth for club and country, excelling for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including two matches encounters against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks a remarkable path for the player from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, smiling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "The decision proved quite easy, because I reached the point where I realized I couldn't establish myself at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I felt I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

New Environment

This occurs during mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, the drivers, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to interact with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on public transport after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim