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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he recalls the thrilling dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses amid the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range shot from 25 yards, and Cameron Burgess promptly hammered in the deflection before charging toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with supporters mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This completed an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. In the celebrations, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The victory booked a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's volley from about long distance going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that range," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right flank after the team changed formation. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way his former team played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they know how to dictate and neutralize a game. You can think you're holding your own and then suddenly 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 keep pace."

Swansea Move

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has rapidly done the same in his new home. At the London club he reunited with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a loan at League Two the Manchester club, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a bit naive going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without real physicality. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing men's games you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that maturation for club and country, shining for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including home and away encounters against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he handles the football and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

It has been quite the ride for the player from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his dad, his father, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

His sole appearance for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they played on an plastic turf and the arena covering was sealed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was freezing," he recalls, chuckling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "It was quite easy, because I got to the stage where I knew I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it got to the point where I believed I required a fresh start, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm steadily climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called player transport, a small coach driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"My companions include Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to spend time with the teammates but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim