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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the nail-biting closing stages of Swansea's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. That match ended with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses amid the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range effort from distance, and his teammate quickly converted the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with supporters swarming the players.

Remarkable Recovery

This capped an incredible turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 deep into the second half. During the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter trying to get our attention and we were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Premier League Giants

The result booked a next round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's long-range effort from about way out going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that range," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right defensive wing after they changed tactics. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the Manchester squad who complimented the way his former team played positively.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," the midfielder notes. "It appears that they always find their target and they know how to control and slow down a game. You can think you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even seeing. You have to be focused at all times of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."

Swansea Move

The Welsh side were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a popular figure across two seasons at Leyton Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in south Wales. At the London club he linked up again with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at his loan club from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was likely a bit naive going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say youth team games is very different. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without real physicality. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

His progress reflects that maturation for both domestically and internationally, excelling for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the past five games, including both legs fixtures against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a game-changing assist.

Early Days

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his dad, his father, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

The player's only game for United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was closed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "It was a extended travel and it was freezing," he says, smiling. "The week before, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was amazing."

Moving On

How hard was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "It was fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I knew I couldn't establish myself at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the experience gained but it got to the point where I thought I had to take a different path, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm steadily working my way back up."

Welsh Adaptation

This occurs during mid-afternoon at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the 24-year-old was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a small coach driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself a teammate, the Brazilian, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to spend time with the guys but I'm aiming to be the subsequent individual to stop using the bus and on the road. Franco is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Public Engagement

When he represented his former club, Galbraith would mix with fans on London's Central line after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim