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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of his team's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles following the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful strike from distance, and the defender promptly hammered in the loose ball before racing off toward the home end to mark the goal, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result capped an incredible turnaround given Swansea had trailed 2-0 midway through the second half. During the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win secured a next round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's volley from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right defensive wing after the team changed tactics. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way the underdogs approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It appears that they never miss a pass and they are adept at manage and slow down a game. You can believe you're doing well and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."

New Chapter

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across a couple of years at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a loan at fourth-tier Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that growth for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including both legs encounters against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

This represents a remarkable path for the kid from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his dad, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Old Trafford Memory

His only game for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to Astana, where they played on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to conditions of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was freezing," he comments, smiling. "The week before, several youth players and I trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "It was quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I knew I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I believed I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to socialize with the guys but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on the Tube after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim