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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he reminisces about the thrilling closing stages of Swansea's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles following the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a powerful strike from outside the box, and the defender immediately hammered in the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result sealed an extraordinary comeback given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw 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 bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory secured a next round match 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 arguably the best view when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that distance," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right wing-back after they changed tactics. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way the underdogs attacked the game.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are exceptional but even the basics and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to control and slow down a game. You can feel you're all right and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and concentration just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a popular figure across a couple of years at Orient and has rapidly done the same in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at lower division Salford City, before he moved on from his boyhood club.

Development Path

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without serious challenge. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, excelling for the Green and White Army, 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 both legs games against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his eye for a killer pass.

Starting Out

This represents a remarkable path for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for a local club.

Red Devils Debut

The player's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they played on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was closed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "It was a extended travel and it was cold out there," he says, smiling. "The week before, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I believed I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

New Environment

This occurs during the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a minibus driven by club employees, the transport team, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include a teammate, Ronald, an Ivorian player – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person to stop using the bus and driving. Franco is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after starting his journey at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim