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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he recalls the nail-biting closing stages of Swansea's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear amid the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range strike from distance, and his teammate immediately hammered in the loose ball before sprinting toward the home end to celebrate, with fans swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

This completed an unbelievable turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 midway through the second half. In the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] 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 individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory earned a upcoming game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's first-time shot from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right defensive wing after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way Orient played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they are adept at control and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're all right and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even seeing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It demands a tough attitude and concentration just to remain competitive."

Welsh Transition

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at his former club and has rapidly replicated that in Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a temporary move at League Two Salford City, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that development for his team and nation, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including home and away encounters against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he handles the football and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This marks quite the ride for the kid from the local area in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His only game for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they featured on an plastic turf and the arena covering was closed owing to conditions of -15C. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he recalls, grinning. "The preceding week, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How hard was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "The decision proved fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I realized I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I felt I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, another squad member, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to socialize with the guys but I'm hoping to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on public transport after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim