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Ethan Galbraith breaks into a smile as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a fan's glasses following the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative shot from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess promptly converted the loose ball before racing off toward the crowd to celebrate, with fans swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory completed an extraordinary turnaround given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result secured a upcoming fixture at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about way out going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right flank after they changed formation. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the Manchester squad who praised the way the underdogs played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It feels like they always find their target and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're doing well and then abruptly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It demands a strong mentality and concentration just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has quickly done the same in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears possession is exchanged without real physicality. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that maturation for club and country, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including two matches fixtures against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks quite the ride for the player from the local area in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his parent, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's single match for United came in the away trip in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of freezing cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was freezing," he says, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved quite easy, because I reached the point where I realized I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I felt I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

Welsh Adaptation

It is the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to socialize with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person out of the minibus and driving. Franco enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

While playing for Orient, Galbraith would blend in with followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim