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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the thrilling dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses after the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful effort from outside the box, and the defender promptly converted the rebound before charging toward the crowd to revel in the moment, with supporters congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

The result completed an incredible recovery given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 midway through the final 45 minutes. Amid the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter shouting out and we were puzzled: '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 laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win secured a upcoming match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when the underdogs took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's long-range effort from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that far out," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right wing-back after the team changed shape. That meant competing with the England international, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the City players who complimented the way his former team played positively.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are exceptional but even the basics and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they understand how to 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 switched on every second of the game. It demands a tough attitude and concentration just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has quickly done the same in south Wales. At the London club he reunited with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at League Two the Manchester club, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was perhaps a bit naive going into senior level. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing men's games you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

His progress reflects that growth for his team and nation, excelling for his national side, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including home and away fixtures against a football powerhouse. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a killer pass.

Humble Beginnings

It has been an incredible journey for the player from the local area in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His only game for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they played on an synthetic surface and the arena covering was sealed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "It was a long trip and it was cold out there," he says, chuckling. "The days leading up, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged a teenager? "It was relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I thought I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play professional soccer. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at 5pm: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the 24-year-old was a frequent passenger in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, the drivers, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, another squad member, an Ivorian player – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to interact with the lads but I'm planning to be the next one to drive independently and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with supporters on the Tube after commuting at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim