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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the nail-biting dying seconds of Swansea's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a supporter's spectacles amid the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike from 25 yards, and the defender promptly converted the deflection before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with supporters swarming the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an extraordinary comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 deep into the latter period. In the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a supporter shouting out and Josh Key and I were puzzled: '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 players but we're individuals, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The result booked a fourth-round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had arguably the best view when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for attempting the shot from that far out," stated Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right wing-back after they changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the City players who complimented the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the basics and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It feels like they always find their target and they are adept at manage and neutralize a game. You can believe you're doing well and then suddenly they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even seeing. You have to be alert at all times of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and concentration just to keep pace."

New Chapter

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in his new home. At Orient he linked up again with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford, before he departed Manchester United.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a slightly green going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without much intensity. There's not many physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that growth for his team and nation, performing well for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including home and away encounters against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his eye for a killer pass.

Starting Out

This marks a remarkable path for the kid from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's sole appearance for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they competed on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of -15C. "This represented a long trip and it was cold out there," he recalls, grinning. "The week before, the academy prospects trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Departing Old Trafford

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged a teenager? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I knew I wouldn't break through at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it got to the point where I felt I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

Life in Swansea

It is the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to the local area, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a small coach driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's nice to interact with the guys but I'm aiming to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's frequently playing tricks."

Supporter Connections

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on the Tube after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim