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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the dramatic dying seconds of Swansea's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith temporarily wearing a spectator's eyewear following the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a powerful effort from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess promptly converted the deflection before sprinting toward the East Stand to celebrate, with fans mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an incredible turnaround given the team had found themselves down 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and we were puzzled: '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 fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith 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 recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for having a go from that distance," stated Galbraith, who played in the middle before switching to right wing-back after the team changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the opposition who praised the way his former team played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the simple things and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they understand how to dictate and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then abruptly they will just fizz a pass between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be switched on every second of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and attention just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The Welsh side pushed to sign 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 two seasons at his former club and has quickly achieved similar status in his new home. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in first-team action on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. 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 professional soccer. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without much intensity. There's not many tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that maturation for his team and nation, excelling for his national side, who remain in contention for the World Cup next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including both legs games against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

It has been an incredible journey for the youngster from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who was raised observing his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

Galbraith's only game for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was closed owing to the weather of -15C. "This represented a extended travel and it was cold out there," he recalls, smiling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and earn some playing time at the end was incredible."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "It was fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I thought I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

Life in Swansea

It is the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility 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 frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's pleasant to interact with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate is known for his humor; he's frequently playing tricks."

Fan Interactions

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with supporters on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim