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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the nail-biting final moments of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly hammered in the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with supporters congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory capped an extraordinary turnaround given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. Amid the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a fan sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result earned a fourth-round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's long-range effort from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for having a go from that range," stated Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way the underdogs approached the match.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they are adept at control and neutralize a game. You can feel you're all right and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at his former club and has swiftly done the same in south Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell 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 his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a slightly green going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears possession is exchanged without much intensity. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing men's games you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that growth for his team and nation, excelling for Northern Ireland, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including home and away encounters against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his knack for a killer pass.

Starting Out

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the neighborhood in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his father, his father, also a central player, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His only game for United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to conditions of bitter cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he says, grinning. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "It was relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it became apparent where I believed I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a small coach driven by academy staff, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself a teammate, the Brazilian, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to socialize with the lads but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and driving. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

During his time at Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on London's Central line after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim