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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of Swansea's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles after the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful strike from distance, and the defender quickly converted the deflection before charging toward the home end to revel in the moment, with fans mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result sealed an extraordinary comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 during the second half. Amid the euphoria, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a spectator sort of calling out and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory secured a next round fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's first-time shot from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for having a go from that range," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right wing-back after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It appears that they always find their target and they are adept at manage and slow down a game. You can feel you're doing well and then without warning they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even noticing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It requires a tough attitude and focus just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across a couple of years at Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier Salford, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was likely a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

His progress reflects that development for club and country, excelling for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including two matches fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks quite the ride for the kid from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his father, his father, also a engine room operator, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's single match for United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was shut owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he comments, chuckling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "This turned out fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the experience gained but it became apparent where I believed I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a team vehicle driven by club employees, the drivers, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would blend in with followers on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim