Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he reminisces about the dramatic dying seconds of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter ended with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear after the pitch-side pile-on.
During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith struck the post with a speculative shot from distance, and his teammate immediately slammed home the rebound before charging toward the East Stand to revel in the moment, with the crowd mobbing the players.
Extraordinary Turnaround
The result sealed an unbelievable comeback given the Welsh side had found themselves down 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. Amid the celebrations, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we spotted the glasses. It was a funny incident putting them on. We are on the pitch as footballers but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."
Manchester City Challenge
That win booked a fourth-round match at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with the London side in February. He had an excellent perspective when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with the attacker's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the Stefan Ortega. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.
"You would have hoped they would've awarded it to him for having a go from that far out," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right flank after they changed tactics. That meant competing with Jack Grealish, with whom he swapped shirts, and the attacker was among the opposition who complimented the way his former team approached the match.
Guardiola's System
"Athletically they are very good but even the simple things and routine actions, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It seems as if they always find their target and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can think you're doing well and then suddenly they will just thread a ball between defenders without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It requires a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."
Swansea Move
The club sought to acquire Galbraith in January and secured his signature to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a fans' favourite across a couple of years at Leyton Orient and has rapidly achieved similar status in Wales. At his previous team he joined forces once more with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his first extended run in first-team action on loan at his loan club from United. Then came a spell at League Two Salford, before he permanently left Old Trafford.
Growth Journey
"I was perhaps a slightly green going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without serious challenge. There are limited tackles or duels. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."
National Team Success
He has demonstrated that maturation for both domestically and internationally, performing well for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the playoffs and for whom he has featured in the recent fixtures, including home and away encounters against a football powerhouse. Ian Baraclough, Galbraith's former 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 an incredible journey for the player from the local area in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who grew up watching his father, his father, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.
Old Trafford Memory
His single match for the Red Devils came in Central Asia in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they featured on an plastic turf and the venue ceiling was closed owing to conditions of bitter cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was chilly," he recalls, grinning. "The days leading up, several youth players and I trained together, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to join the main group and get a couple of minutes at the end was incredible."
Leaving United
What was the challenge was it to leave United, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "This turned out quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I understood 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 needed to go my own route, join a smaller club and play first-team games. Now I'm gradually working my way back up."
Life in Swansea
It is the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a road rules assessment, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's nicknamed team minibus, a minibus driven by club employees, Pete and Howard, which transports players to and from practice and games.
"It's myself the Portuguese player, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's enjoyable to interact with the guys but I'm planning to be the next one to stop using the bus and on the road. The Portuguese player likes to pull a few pranks; he's always up to all sorts."
Fan Interactions
During his time at Orient, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on London's Central line after beginning his trip at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim
