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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he recalls the dramatic final moments of Swansea's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a spectator's eyewear following the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a long-range shot from 25 yards, and the defender immediately hammered in the deflection before racing off toward the home end to revel in the moment, with fans congregating around the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This sealed an unbelievable recovery given Swansea had been behind 2-0 midway through the latter period. In the euphoria, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win secured a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith ran close at the same stage of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right defensive wing after the team changed shape. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are very good but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It seems as if they never miss a pass and they know how to control and take the sting out of a game. You can feel you're all right and then abruptly they will just fizz a pass between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It requires a strong mentality and focus just to keep pace."

New Chapter

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at his former club and has rapidly done the same in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at lower division Salford City, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think many athletes would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it feels like the ball is moved without real physicality. There's not many 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, shining for his national side, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including both legs games against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This marks quite the ride for the kid from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who used to see his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's only game for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they played on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was sealed owing to temperatures of -15C. "It was a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he comments, grinning. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged 16? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it became apparent where I felt I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play professional soccer. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

New Environment

It is the middle of the day at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include a teammate, another squad member, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to interact with the teammates but I'm planning to be the following person to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim