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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the thrilling closing stages of Swansea's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear amid the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the deflection before racing off toward the East Stand to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result sealed an incredible turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 midway through the final 45 minutes. In the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a spectator shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win secured a upcoming fixture at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had arguably the best view when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's long-range effort from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that range," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right wing-back after they changed tactics. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way Orient approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are very good but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they always find their target and they understand how to dictate and neutralize a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even spotting it. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It demands a tough attitude and attention just to keep pace."

New Chapter

Swansea pushed to sign Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a £1.5m deal. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Orient and has quickly replicated that in Wales. At his previous team he reunited with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier Salford, before he permanently left his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is completely distinct. Sometimes it appears possession is exchanged without real physicality. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that maturation for both domestically and internationally, shining for the Green and White Army, who could still reach the international competition next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including home and away games against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Starting Out

This represents quite the ride for the player from the local area in Glengormley, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his dad, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the host city, where they competed on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was closed owing to conditions of -15C. "It was a lengthy journey and it was chilly," he recalls, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects worked out jointly, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Departing Old Trafford

How hard was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I knew I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm extremely thankful for the time I spent there but it got to the point where I thought I needed to go my own route, drop down the leagues and play men's football. Now I'm steadily progressing again."

Welsh Adaptation

It is mid-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. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a small coach driven by club employees, the drivers, which transports players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, the Brazilian, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's enjoyable to socialize with the teammates but I'm aiming to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. Franco enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim