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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic closing stages of his team's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear after the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative strike from outside the box, and his teammate immediately slammed home the rebound before charging toward the home end to revel in the moment, with fans mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory capped an incredible comeback given the team had been behind 2-0 during the second half. In the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a supporter sort of calling out and Josh Key and I were wondering: '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

The result secured a upcoming match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the woodwork and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that far out," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right flank after Orient changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the opposition who praised the way his former team approached the match.

Opponent's Class

"Fitness-wise they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just execute repeatedly," Galbraith says. "It feels like they never miss a pass and they understand how to manage and slow down a game. You can think you're holding your own and then abruptly they will just deliver a through ball between defenders without you even spotting it. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It takes a resilient mindset and concentration just to stay in the game."

New Chapter

Swansea sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at Leyton Orient and has quickly replicated that in south Wales. At Orient he reunited with Richie Wellens, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in senior football on loan at a League One side from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford, before he moved on from Manchester United.

Development Path

"I was likely a slightly green going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is very different. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without serious challenge. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adjust fast."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that development for both domestically and internationally, shining for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the past five games, including two matches fixtures against Germany. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's ex- international manager, paid him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This marks a remarkable path for the player from the neighborhood in Glengormley, just outside Belfast, who was raised observing his father, the elder Galbraith, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Manchester United Experience

His single match for the Red Devils came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they competed on an synthetic surface and the venue ceiling was closed owing to temperatures of -15C. "This represented a long trip and it was freezing," he recalls, smiling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged 16? "It was fairly simple, because I got to the stage where I understood I wasn't going to make it at the senior squad. I'm extremely thankful for the experience gained but it reached a stage where I believed I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play professional soccer. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

Welsh Adaptation

This occurs during the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another step towards getting on the road. Prior to relocating to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a minibus driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, the Brazilian, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to spend time with the lads but I'm planning to be the following person to stop using the bus and behind the wheel. His teammate likes to pull a few pranks; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for Leyton Orient, Galbraith would blend in with fans on London's Central line after beginning his trip at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim