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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic closing stages of his team's epic comeback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. That match wrapped up with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses amid the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range strike from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess promptly slammed home the deflection before charging toward the crowd to mark the goal, with the crowd swarming the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The victory completed an unbelievable comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 during the latter period. In the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. The midfielder recalled, "There was a supporter shouting out 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 individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Manchester City Challenge

The result earned a next round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the same stage of the FA Cup with the London side in February. The athletic midfielder had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's first-time shot from about way out going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that far out," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before moving to right defensive wing after the team changed tactics. That meant facing off against the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who complimented the way Orient approached the match.

City's Quality

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the basics and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they understand how to manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It takes a tough attitude and focus just to remain competitive."

Welsh Transition

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in his new home. At his previous team he joined forces once more with Richie Wellens, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a loan at League Two Salford City, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say youth team games is completely distinct. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without real physicality. There are limited hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that maturation for club and country, shining for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including two matches encounters against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's ex- international manager, offered the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a killer pass.

Early Days

This marks a remarkable path for the kid from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a central player, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

The player's single match for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to Astana, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he comments, smiling. "The week before, several youth players and I worked out jointly, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "This turned out fairly simple, because I reached the point where I realized I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm hugely grateful for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I felt I had to take a different path, drop down the leagues and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to his new neighborhood, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which shuttles players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"My companions include a teammate, Ronald, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's nice to interact with the teammates but I'm planning to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's frequently playing tricks."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with fans on London's Central line after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim