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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the thrilling final moments of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear amid the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from distance, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the deflection before sprinting toward the crowd to mark the goal, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This sealed an extraordinary turnaround given Swansea had trailed 2-0 deep into the latter period. In the celebrations, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The victory secured a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith pushed hard 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 Jamie Donley's volley from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right wing-back after Orient changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the City players who paid tribute to the way Orient attacked the game.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It seems as if they always find their target and they are adept at dictate and neutralize a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then without warning they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and focus just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in Wales. At Orient he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think many athletes would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without much intensity. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

National Team Success

He has demonstrated that maturation for club and country, performing well for his national side, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including both legs games against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Humble Beginnings

This represents an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they played on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was closed owing to the weather of bitter cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he says, smiling. "The preceding week, 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

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "This turned out quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I knew 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 believed I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

It is mid-afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself a teammate, Ronald, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to drive independently and driving. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim