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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic dying seconds of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear after the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative strike from outside the box, and his teammate quickly slammed home the loose ball before racing off toward the East Stand to celebrate, with supporters mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result sealed an extraordinary recovery given Swansea had trailed 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. In the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win secured a next round game at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that range," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right flank after they changed tactics. 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 his former team attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are very good but even the simple things 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 dictate and slow down a game. You can believe you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even seeing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and attention just to remain competitive."

Swansea Move

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has rapidly done the same in south Wales. At Orient he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a loan at lower division the Manchester club, before he departed Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a bit naive going into senior level. I think many athletes would say development squad matches is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that growth for his team and nation, performing well for the Green and White Army, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including two matches fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's former international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This represents an incredible journey for the player from the local area in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his dad, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was shut owing to conditions of -15C. "That proved to be a long trip and it was chilly," he says, smiling. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Moving On

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "The decision proved quite easy, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it got to the point where I thought I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play men's football. 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 late afternoon: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the mid-twenties player was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a minibus driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, Ronald, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to socialize with the guys but I'm hoping to be the next one to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

When he represented Orient, Galbraith would blend in with fans on public transport after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim