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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he recalls the nail-biting dying seconds of Swansea's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a spectator's eyewear following the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith cracked the upright with a speculative shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly slammed home the deflection before sprinting toward the home end to revel in the moment, with supporters mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This completed an unbelievable turnaround given Swansea had been behind 2-0 deep into the latter period. In the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a fan sort of calling out and we were wondering: '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 individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result secured a next round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's volley from about way out going in via the crossbar and the Stefan Ortega. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for having a go from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right flank after Orient changed shape. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they are adept at control and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and attention just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at his former club and has swiftly replicated that in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in professional games on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a loan at lower division Salford, before he permanently left Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that growth for both domestically and internationally, excelling for his national side, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the last several matches, including two matches games against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's former international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks an incredible journey for the kid from the neighborhood in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his dad, his father, also a central player, play for a local club.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's sole appearance for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to Astana, where they played on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of -15C. "It was a long trip and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "This turned out quite easy, because I reached the point where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I felt I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm gradually progressing again."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's pleasant to spend time with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and behind the wheel. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

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