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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the nail-biting dying seconds of his team's epic comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith picking up a fan's glasses following the on-field celebration.

During the final moments of stoppage time, Galbraith rattled the woodwork with a speculative effort from 25 yards, and the defender promptly hammered in the loose ball before sprinting toward the East Stand to mark the goal, with supporters mobbing the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory capped an incredible turnaround given the team had trailed 2-0 deep into the final 45 minutes. In the delirium, there was some collateral damage. He shared, "There was a supporter sort of calling out 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 footballers but we're people, too, so to have a bit of craic with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win 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 the London side in February. Galbraith had an excellent perspective when Orient took the lead in stunning style, with a teammate's long-range effort from about 45 yards going in via the crossbar and the City goalkeeper. It feels criminal that it was credited as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for taking the effort on from that range," says Galbraith, who began the game centrally before moving to right flank after Orient changed tactics. That meant competing with City's winger, with whom he traded tops, and the player was among the opposition who complimented the way the underdogs attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Athletically they are outstanding but even the simple things and simple things, they can just do it over and over again," he explains. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they understand how to manage and neutralize a game. You can think you're all right and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass past your midfield without you even noticing. You have to be switched on at all times of the game. It demands a strong mentality and focus just to remain competitive."

New Chapter

The Welsh side sought to acquire 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 swiftly achieved similar status in his new home. At Orient he linked up again with the coach, who four years ago gave Galbraith his initial sustained opportunity in professional games on loan at a League One side from Old Trafford. Then came a spell at League Two Salford City, before he permanently left Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was probably a bit naive going into men's football. I think numerous professionals would say development squad matches is entirely separate. Sometimes it appears possession is exchanged without much intensity. There are limited physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to adjust fast."

Country Call-ups

His progress reflects that development for club and country, performing well for Northern Ireland, who are fighting to qualify for the international competition next summer via the qualifying rounds and for whom he has been selected in the last several matches, including both legs 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 controls possession and his knack for a killer pass.

Humble Beginnings

It has been an incredible journey for the player from the Queens Park estate in his hometown, just outside Northern Ireland's main city, who used to see his parent, his father, also a engine room operator, play for his father's team.

Manchester United Experience

The player's sole appearance for Manchester United came in Kazakhstan in 2019, a continental tournament trip to the host city, where they played on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was shut owing to the weather of -15C. "This represented a long trip and it was chilly," he says, smiling. "The preceding week, myself and quite a few of the young lads trained together, so that aided our adjustment. Just to travel with the first team and make an appearance at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

How difficult was it to move on from Old Trafford, the club he signed from his boyhood team aged 16? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I got to the stage where I realized I wasn't going to make it at the top level. I'm extremely thankful for the years at the club but it got to the point where I felt I required a fresh start, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm gradually climbing the ladder."

Life in Swansea

This occurs during the middle of the day at Swansea's Fairwood training base but Galbraith has a commitment at late afternoon: a driving theory test, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Until recently to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a constant rider in Swansea's dubbed player transport, a team vehicle driven by team personnel, Pete and Howard, which ferries players to and from sessions and fixtures.

"It's myself a teammate, another squad member, the midfielder – a former passenger used to be in it but has begun using his own car. It's pleasant to socialize with the lads but I'm planning to be the following person out of the minibus and on the road. His teammate is known for his humor; he's always up to all sorts."

Fan Interactions

While playing for his former club, Galbraith would travel alongside fans on the Tube after starting his journey at the area he lived in. "I tried|I attempted|My aim