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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he remembers the thrilling final moments of Swansea's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. That match ended with Galbraith temporarily wearing a supporter's spectacles amid the pitch-side pile-on.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a long-range shot from distance, and Cameron Burgess promptly hammered in the rebound before charging toward the home end to celebrate, with fans mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The result capped an unbelievable comeback given the team had trailed 2-0 midway through the latter period. During the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan trying to get our attention and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we saw the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The victory secured a fourth-round match at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a team Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with Leyton Orient in February. He had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in stunning style, with the attacker's volley from about way out going in via the crossbar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was deemed an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've awarded it to him for taking the effort on from that range," commented Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right defensive wing after Orient changed shape. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he swapped shirts, and the player was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way Orient attacked the game.

City's Quality

"Physically they are outstanding but even the fundamentals and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It seems as if they never miss a pass and they are adept at control and neutralize a game. You can think you're holding your own and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be focused throughout of the game. It takes a tough attitude and concentration just to stay in the game."

Swansea Move

The club were keen on Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He became a favorite as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Leyton Orient and has rapidly replicated that in south Wales. At his previous team he reunited with the coach, who previously gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at a League One side from Manchester United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he departed Manchester United.

Growth Journey

"I was likely a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think many athletes would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears the ball is moved without real physicality. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing professional matches you have to learn quickly."

International Recognition

He has demonstrated that maturation for both domestically and internationally, performing well for his national side, who are fighting to qualify for the global tournament next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has started the recent fixtures, including home and away fixtures against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's previous international manager, gave him the highest praise, saying he was Northern Ireland's "little Iniesta or Xavi" given how he handles the football and his knack for a killer pass.

Early Days

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

Old Trafford Memory

His only game for Manchester United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to Astana, where they competed on an artificial pitch and the venue ceiling was shut owing to temperatures of freezing cold. "That proved to be a extended travel and it was chilly," he recalls, smiling. "The days leading up, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that aided our adjustment. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was incredible."

Moving On

How hard was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he joined from Linfield aged his mid-teens? "This turned out fairly simple, because I arrived at the moment where I knew I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it reached a stage where I felt I required a fresh start, move to a lower level and play men's football. Now I'm slowly climbing the ladder."

New Environment

This occurs during the middle of the day at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has a commitment at 5pm: a learner's exam, another progress toward getting on the road. Prior to relocating to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's so-called fun bus, a minibus driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's enjoyable to interact with the teammates but I'm planning to be the next one out of the minibus and behind the wheel. His teammate is known for his humor; he's constantly causing mischief."

Fan Interactions

When he represented his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside supporters on London's Central line after commuting at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim