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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the nail-biting final moments of Swansea's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear following the pitch-side pile-on.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess promptly slammed home the deflection before charging toward the East Stand to celebrate, with fans mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The victory capped an extraordinary comeback given the team had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. Amid the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and we were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a upcoming game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard 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 a teammate's long-range effort from about way out going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after the team changed shape. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way his former team approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the basics and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then abruptly they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It requires a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The club pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at his former club and has rapidly achieved similar status in his new home. At his previous team he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a loan at lower division Salford, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a slightly green going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that development for both domestically and internationally, excelling for the Green and White Army, who could still reach the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including two matches games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This marks a remarkable path for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who used to see his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His sole appearance for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to Astana, where they played on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was shut owing to conditions of -15C. "This represented a long trip and it was chilly," he says, chuckling. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was unbelievable."

Moving On

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the time I spent there but it got to the point where I believed I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

New Environment

This occurs during mid-afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a small coach driven by club employees, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would mix with followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim