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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he recalls the dramatic dying seconds of his team's epic comeback victory against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles amid the pitch-side pile-on.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a powerful shot from outside the box, and his teammate promptly slammed home the rebound before racing off toward the home end to revel in the moment, with fans congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The result capped an unbelievable recovery given the Welsh side had been behind 2-0 midway through the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some unintended consequences. He shared, "There was a spectator shouting out and Josh Key and I were wondering: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result booked a fourth-round game at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the same stage of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. The athletic midfielder had a prime vantage point when the underdogs took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about long distance going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. It seems unfair that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have hoped they would've credited him for having a go from that range," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before shifting to right defensive wing after Orient changed formation. That meant facing off against City's winger, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the player was among the opposition who complimented the way his former team attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Physically they are exceptional but even the simple things and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It feels like they complete every delivery and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can feel you're all right and then without warning they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even spotting it. You have to be alert every second of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

Swansea sought to acquire Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a significant move. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across multiple campaigns at his former club and has rapidly achieved similar status in south Wales. At the London club he linked up again with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into men's football. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is very different. Sometimes it seems play is circulated without much intensity. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that maturation for his team and nation, excelling for his national side, who remain in contention for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including home and away fixtures against the German national team. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former international manager, offered the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he manipulates the ball and his ability to spot a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

This represents quite the ride for the youngster from the local area in his hometown, just outside Belfast, who grew up watching his parent, his father, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Red Devils Debut

Galbraith's sole appearance for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the host city, where they played on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was sealed owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "This represented a extended travel and it was freezing," he comments, smiling. "The preceding week, the academy prospects trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to accompany the senior squad and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "It was quite easy, because I reached the point where I knew I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm very appreciative for the years at the club but it became apparent where I thought I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

Welsh Adaptation

This occurs during the early part of the afternoon at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a road rules assessment, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to Sketty, the young professional was a frequent passenger in Swansea's nicknamed fun bus, a team vehicle driven by club employees, the transport team, which shuttles players to and from training and matches.

"It's myself the Portuguese player, another squad member, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has started driving. It's pleasant to interact with the teammates but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and driving. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Public Engagement

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside followers on London's Central line after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim