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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic final moments of his team's remarkable turnaround triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses amid the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range shot from distance, and the defender immediately hammered in the loose ball before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Stunning Reversal

This completed an incredible turnaround given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 deep into the latter period. In the delirium, there was some minor mishaps. He shared, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win earned a fourth-round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, opponents Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in spectacular fashion, with the attacker's volley from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that far out," commented Galbraith, who began the game centrally before shifting to right flank after they changed tactics. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way the underdogs attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the simple things and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they know how to control and neutralize a game. You can feel you're all right and then without warning 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 concentration just to keep pace."

New Chapter

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a popular figure across a couple of years at Orient and has swiftly achieved similar status in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in senior football on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at lower division the Manchester club, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Development Path

"I was probably a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without serious challenge. You see few hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that development for club and country, excelling for the Green and White Army, who could still reach the global tournament next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has started the last several matches, including both legs fixtures against Germany. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he controls possession and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Early Days

It has been a remarkable path for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his father, the elder Galbraith, also a central player, play for a local club.

Manchester United Experience

The player's single match for United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an plastic turf and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of -15C. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was chilly," he says, grinning. "The week before, 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 unbelievable."

Moving On

What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he joined from Linfield aged 16? "This turned out relatively straightforward, because I arrived at the moment where I understood I wouldn't break through at the senior squad. I'm hugely grateful for the experience gained but it got to the point where I felt I needed to go my own route, move to a lower level and play first-team games. Now I'm slowly progressing again."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another progress toward getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed player transport, a minibus driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself a teammate, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to socialize with the guys but I'm hoping to be the following person to drive independently and driving. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim