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Ethan Galbraith can't help but smile as he remembers the dramatic final moments of his team's stunning fightback victory against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. The encounter culminated with Galbraith picking up a supporter's spectacles amid the on-field celebration.

As the match entered added time, Galbraith struck the post with a long-range strike from distance, and Cameron Burgess quickly hammered in the loose ball before charging toward the East Stand to celebrate, with the crowd congregating around the players.

Extraordinary Turnaround

The victory capped an extraordinary comeback given the Welsh side had trailed 2-0 during the second half. Amid the celebrations, there was some collateral damage. Galbraith explained, "There was a spectator 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 bit of banter putting them on. We are on the pitch as athletes but we're humans, too, so to have a laugh with the fans is always good."

Pep Guardiola Test

That win booked a fourth-round game at home against Manchester City on Wednesday, a club Galbraith ran close at the comparable phase of the FA Cup with his former club in February. He had arguably the best view when Orient took the lead in remarkable manner, with a teammate's first-time shot from about 45 yards going in via the bar and the Stefan Ortega. Many argued that it was recorded as an own goal.

"You would have wished they would've credited him for attempting the shot from that range," says Galbraith, who played in the middle before shifting to right defensive wing after they changed formation. That meant getting to grips with the England international, with whom he traded tops, and the winger was among the City players who praised the way his former team attacked the game.

Guardiola's System

"Physically they are outstanding but even the basics and routine actions, they can just execute repeatedly," he explains. "It appears that they complete every delivery and they are adept at manage and take the sting out of a game. You can believe you're all right and then suddenly they will just fizz a pass through a line without you even noticing. You have to be switched on throughout of the game. It takes a strong mentality and attention just to keep pace."

Welsh Transition

The Welsh side pushed to sign Galbraith in January and secured his signature to sign him in the summer in a significant move. He established himself as a popular figure across two seasons at Orient and has swiftly done the same in his new home. At Orient he joined forces once more with the coach, who earlier gave Galbraith his debut prolonged spell in first-team action on loan at his loan club from Old Trafford. Then came a temporary move at fourth-tier the Manchester club, before he moved on from Old Trafford.

Development Path

"I was probably a somewhat inexperienced going into senior level. I think many athletes would say under-23s football is entirely separate. Sometimes it seems the ball is moved without much intensity. You see few physical contests. Once you start playing first-team football you have to learn quickly."

Country Call-ups

He has demonstrated that maturation for both domestically and internationally, shining for his national side, who remain in contention for the World Cup next summer via the knockout phase and for whom he has been selected in the recent fixtures, including home and away encounters against the German national team. The ex-coach, Galbraith's previous international manager, offered the supreme accolade, saying he was Northern Ireland's "midfield general" given how he controls possession and his eye for a decisive through ball.

Starting Out

This marks an incredible journey for the youngster from the Queens Park estate in the Belfast suburb, just outside Belfast, who used to see his dad, the elder Galbraith, also a engine room operator, play for Ballyclare Comrades.

Red Devils Debut

His single match for Manchester United came in Central Asia in 2019, a European competition trip to the Kazakh capital, where they featured on an artificial pitch and the stadium roof was sealed owing to temperatures of bitter cold. "It was a extended travel and it was chilly," he comments, grinning. "The days leading up, the academy prospects trained together, so that assisted our preparation. Just to travel with the first team and get a couple of minutes at the end was unbelievable."

Leaving United

What was the challenge was it to depart Manchester United, the club he joined from Linfield aged a teenager? "The decision proved relatively straightforward, because I reached the point where I realized I wouldn't break through at first-team level. I'm hugely grateful for the years at the club but it became apparent where I felt I had to take a different path, join a smaller club and play men's football. Now I'm slowly working my way back up."

New Environment

It is the middle of the day at the club's training ground but Galbraith has an appointment at 5pm: a road rules assessment, another move in the direction of getting on the road. Before his recent move to the local area, the mid-twenties player was a regular in Swansea's so-called team minibus, a team vehicle driven by academy staff, the drivers, which ferries players to and from practice and games.

"I travel with Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, the midfielder – Melker Widell used to be in it but has got his license. It's pleasant to socialize with the guys but I'm planning to be the subsequent individual to drive independently and driving. The Portuguese player enjoys practical jokes; he's constantly causing mischief."

Supporter Connections

When he represented Leyton Orient, Galbraith would mix with followers on the Tube after beginning his trip at his base. "I tried|I attempted|My aim