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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the nail-biting dying seconds of Swansea's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles after the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a speculative effort from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess quickly hammered in the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with fans swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The result completed an incredible recovery given the team had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half. During the euphoria, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win secured a next round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's volley from about way out going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for having a go from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after the team changed formation. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the winger was among the City players who complimented the way his former team played positively.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the basics and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they know how to control and slow down 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 alert throughout of the game. It demands a tough attitude and focus just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at his former club and has swiftly done the same in Wales. At Orient he reunited with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he permanently left Manchester United.

Development Path

"I was likely a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, performing well for his national side, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including two matches games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Early Days

It has been an incredible journey for the player from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to Astana, where they played on an plastic turf and the arena covering was closed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he comments, grinning. "The week before, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I thought I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"My companions include a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to socialize with the lads but I'm hoping to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

When he represented his former club, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim