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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses after the post-goal scrum.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike from distance, and the defender immediately hammered in the deflection before charging toward the crowd to mark the goal, with supporters swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The result capped an extraordinary recovery given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the final 45 minutes. During the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a fan shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: '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 athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The victory secured a upcoming match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's volley from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that range," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right flank after Orient changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are very good but even the fundamentals and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," the midfielder notes. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be alert every second of the game. It demands a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to sign him in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He established himself as a crowd pleaser across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly replicated that in his new home. At his previous team he joined forces once more with his former manager, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at Doncaster from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at League Two the Manchester club, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that growth for his team and nation, performing well for the Green and White Army, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the last several matches, including both legs fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

It has been quite the ride for the kid from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who was raised observing his dad, his father, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was shut owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was cold out there," he comments, grinning. "The week before, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged 16? "The decision proved quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the experience gained but it became apparent where I thought I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's dubbed fun bus, a small coach driven by club employees, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to socialize with the teammates but I'm planning to be the following person to drive independently and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

During his time at his former club, Galbraith would mix with followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim