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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the nail-biting final moments of his team's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a spectator's eyewear after the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a speculative effort from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly hammered in the loose ball before racing off toward the home end to celebrate, with the crowd mobbing the players.

Stunning Reversal

The victory capped an unbelievable turnaround given the team had trailed 2-0 during the second half. During the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and Josh Key and I were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

That win secured a upcoming fixture at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with a teammate's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that distance," says Galbraith, who started in midfield before moving to right wing-back after the team changed formation. That meant getting to grips with City's winger, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who paid tribute to the way the underdogs played positively.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they understand how to control and neutralize a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then suddenly they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even seeing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."

Welsh Transition

The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a spell at lower division Salford City, before he departed his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a bit naive going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it appears play is circulated without real physicality. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has shown that growth for club and country, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the last several matches, including both legs encounters against a football powerhouse. His former international manager, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he controls possession and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

This represents an incredible journey for the player from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Old Trafford Memory

The player's single match for United came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was closed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "It was a long trip and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The preceding week, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that assisted our preparation. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "This turned out quite easy, because I reached the point where I realized I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there 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 gradually climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has somewhere to be at 5pm: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called player transport, a small coach driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, the Brazilian, an Ivorian player – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to spend time with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's always up to all sorts."

Supporter Connections

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