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Ethan Galbraith grins broadly as he reminisces about the thrilling closing stages of his team's stunning fightback win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. The game wrapped up with Galbraith briefly donning a spectator's eyewear after the on-field celebration.

With the clock ticking into the 97th minute, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from distance, and Cameron Burgess promptly slammed home the deflection before charging toward the crowd to celebrate, with fans mobbing the players.

Remarkable Recovery

The victory completed an incredible comeback given Swansea had trailed 2-0 midway through the final 45 minutes. In the euphoria, there was some minor mishaps. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator shouting out and we were puzzled: 'What's he on about here?' Then we noticed the glasses. It was a bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as players but we're individuals, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

The result earned a fourth-round game at home against the Premier League champions on Wednesday, a team Galbraith pushed hard at the equivalent round of the FA Cup with his former club in February. Galbraith had arguably the best view when his former team took the lead in remarkable manner, with Jamie Donley's first-time shot from about way out going in via the bar and the opposition keeper. It feels criminal that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have expected they would've given it to him for taking the effort on from that far out," stated Galbraith, who began the game centrally before switching to right wing-back after Orient changed shape. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the opposition who paid tribute to the way Orient attacked the game.

Opponent's Class

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and simple things, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It seems as if they always find their target and they understand how to control and slow down a game. You can feel you're all right and then suddenly they will just thread a ball past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be alert throughout of the game. It requires a strong mentality and concentration just to stay in the game."

Welsh Transition

Swansea were keen on Galbraith in January and beat off competition to bring him in in the summer in a seven-figure transfer. He made a name as a crowd pleaser across a couple of years at Orient and has rapidly replicated that in south Wales. At his previous team he linked up again with his former manager, who previously gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at Doncaster from Manchester United. Then came a loan at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he permanently left his boyhood club.

Learning Curve

"I was likely a bit naive going into professional soccer. I think many athletes would say youth team games is entirely separate. Sometimes it feels like possession is exchanged without much intensity. You see few tackles or duels. Once you start playing professional matches you have to adapt rapidly."

Country Call-ups

He has shown that maturation for club and country, shining for Northern Ireland, who remain in contention for the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including both legs fixtures against the German national team. His former international manager, Galbraith's ex- international manager, gave him the ultimate compliment, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he handles the football and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Humble Beginnings

This represents an incredible journey for the player from the neighborhood in the Belfast suburb, just outside the capital, who was raised observing his father, his father, also a midfielder, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

Galbraith's only game for United came in the away trip in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an synthetic surface and the stadium roof was shut owing to conditions of freezing cold. "That proved to be a long trip and it was cold out there," he recalls, smiling. "The preceding week, the academy prospects practiced as a group, so that helped us acclimatise. Just to accompany the senior squad and make an appearance at the end was amazing."

Departing Old Trafford

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he transferred from aged his mid-teens? "The decision proved quite easy, because I arrived at the moment where I realized I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm very appreciative for the time I spent there but it became apparent where I believed I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm steadily climbing the ladder."

New Environment

It is the middle of the day at the team's practice facility but Galbraith has an appointment at the early evening: a learner's exam, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to his new neighborhood, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed team minibus, a minibus driven by academy staff, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from training and matches.

"I travel with a teammate, another squad member, an Ivorian player – a former passenger used to be in it but has started driving. It's enjoyable to socialize with the lads but I'm hoping to be the following person to drive independently and driving. His teammate enjoys practical jokes; he's frequently playing tricks."

Public Engagement

During his time at Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with fans on the Tube after commuting at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim