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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses following the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful effort from distance, and his teammate promptly converted the rebound before racing off toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with fans congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory completed an extraordinary recovery given Swansea had been behind 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and we were puzzled: '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 athletes but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win secured a next round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had a prime vantage point when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that distance," stated Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right flank after Orient changed formation. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way the underdogs attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are exceptional but even the basics and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they are adept at dictate and neutralize a game. You can feel you're holding your own and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It takes a strong mentality and focus just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He became a favorite as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Orient and has rapidly replicated that in his new home. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he permanently left Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a bit naive going into senior level. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has shown that maturation for his team and nation, performing well for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including home and away encounters against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a killer pass.

Humble Beginnings

This marks an incredible journey for the kid from the Queens Park estate in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who grew up watching his parent, the elder Galbraith, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

The player's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they played on an artificial pitch and the arena covering was shut owing to the weather of bitter cold. "It was a long trip and it was cold out there," he comments, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad 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 a teenager? "The decision proved quite easy, because I reached the point where I knew I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it got to the point where I thought I required a fresh start, drop down the leagues and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a road rules assessment, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a small coach driven by team personnel, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with the Portuguese player, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to socialize with the lads but I'm hoping to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim