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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the dramatic dying seconds of his team's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles following the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful effort from 25 yards, and the defender immediately converted the deflection before charging toward the home end to celebrate, with supporters swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result capped an unbelievable comeback given the team had found themselves down 2-0 deep into the second half. During the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] 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 players but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The victory earned a upcoming match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal 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 distance," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way the underdogs approached the match.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just perform consistently," he explains. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they know how to manage and neutralize a game. You can believe you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It takes a strong mentality and concentration just to remain competitive."

Swansea Move

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has rapidly done the same in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford, before he departed his boyhood club.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is completely distinct. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that maturation for club and country, excelling for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs games against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Early Days

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who used to see his dad, Stuart, also a engine room operator, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

Galbraith's only game for United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of bitter cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was cold out there," he recalls, grinning. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

How hard was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "The decision proved fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm very appreciative for the experience gained but it became apparent where I thought I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

New Environment

It is the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to his new neighborhood, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a minibus driven by club employees, the drivers, which transports players to and from practice and games.

"My companions include the Portuguese player, Ronald, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and driving. Franco likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on the Tube after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim