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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the thrilling closing stages of his team's remarkable turnaround victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles after the post-goal scrum.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from outside the box, and the defender promptly slammed home the loose ball before racing off toward the crowd to celebrate, with the crowd swarming the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

This sealed an unbelievable recovery given Swansea had trailed 2-0 deep into the second half. In the delirium, there was some unintended consequences. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] 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 footballers but we're humans, too, so to have a joke with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

That win booked a next round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the City goalkeeper. Many argued 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 far out," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right flank after the team changed shape. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the attacker was among the Manchester squad who praised the way Orient played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Athletically they are very good but even the basics and routine actions, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they know how to control and neutralize a game. You can believe you're holding your own and then abruptly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It requires a resilient mindset and concentration just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He established himself as a fans' favourite across multiple campaigns at his former club and has quickly replicated that in south Wales. At Orient he reunited with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a loan at League Two Salford City, before he departed Old Trafford.

Learning Curve

"I was probably a slightly green going into men's football. I think a lot of players would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. There's not many physical contests. 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, shining for his national side, who remain in contention for the international competition next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including both legs encounters against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a decisive through ball.

Early Days

This represents a remarkable path for the youngster from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

His sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to conditions of -15C. "It was a long trip and it was freezing," he says, chuckling. "The preceding week, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I understood I wasn't going to make it at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it reached a stage where I believed I needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."

New Environment

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has somewhere to be at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to Sketty, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from practice and games.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to spend time with the lads but I'm aiming to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and on the road. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on public transport after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim