Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he recalls the thrilling closing stages of Swansea's stunning fightback triumph against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. The game culminated with Galbraith temporarily wearing a fan's glasses following the pitch-side pile-on.
With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range effort from outside the box, and Cameron Burgess immediately hammered in the loose ball before sprinting toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with supporters mobbing the players.
Stunning Reversal
The victory capped an incredible recovery given the team had been behind 2-0 midway through the latter period. Amid the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a fan sort of calling out and myself and Keysy [Josh Key] were thinking: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a light-hearted moment putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're individuals, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."
Pep Guardiola Test
The victory secured a next round match at home against Pep Guardiola's side on Wednesday, a club Galbraith came close against at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's first-time shot from about way out going in via the woodwork and the opposition keeper. Many argued that it was deemed an own goal.
"You would have wished they would've awarded it to him for attempting the shot from that range," commented Galbraith, who started in midfield before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed tactics. That meant getting to grips with Jack Grealish, with whom he exchanged jerseys, and the winger was among the Manchester squad who praised the way Orient played positively.
Guardiola's System
"Athletically they are exceptional but even the fundamentals and basic skills, they can just perform consistently," Galbraith says. "It seems as if they complete every delivery and they understand how to manage and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're all right and then without warning they will just deliver a through ball through a line without you even noticing. You have to be focused at all times of the game. It takes a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."
Swansea Move
Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and fought off rivals to secure him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a popular figure across multiple campaigns at his former club and has rapidly achieved similar status in Wales. At the London club he linked up again with his former manager, who four years ago gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in senior football on loan at Doncaster from United. Then came a spell at fourth-tier Salford City, before he moved on from his boyhood club.
Development Path
"I was likely a bit naive going into senior level. I think a lot of players would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems possession is exchanged without real physicality. There's not many hard challenges. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."
International Recognition
His progress reflects that development for his team and nation, excelling for the Green and White Army, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the past five games, including home and away games against Germany. His former international manager, Galbraith's former international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "creative maestro" given how he manipulates the ball and his knack for a decisive through ball.
Early Days
It has been an incredible journey for the kid from the local area in his hometown, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his parent, Stuart, also a midfielder, play for a local club.
Red Devils Debut
His sole appearance for the Red Devils came in the away trip in 2019, a Europa League trip to the Kazakh capital, where they played on an artificial pitch and the arena covering was closed owing to the weather of freezing cold. "This represented a lengthy journey and it was cold out there," he says, chuckling. "The week before, several youth players and I trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to join the main group and make an appearance at the end was incredible."
Moving On
How difficult was it to leave United, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged his mid-teens? "This turned out quite easy, because I got to the stage where I understood I couldn't establish myself at the top level. I'm extremely thankful 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 gradually progressing again."
New Environment
It is the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has somewhere to be at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another step towards getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the young professional was a regular in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, the drivers, which transports players to and from training and matches.
"I travel with a teammate, Ronald, the midfielder – the Swedish defender used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to interact with the guys but I'm hoping to be the subsequent individual out of the minibus and behind the wheel. Franco is known for his humor; he's frequently playing tricks."
Supporter Connections
During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on public transport after starting his journey at Brentwood. "I tried|I attempted|My aim