WHEN Spurs fans scrolled through last week’s matchday squad in their game against Pacos de Ferreira, they would’ve noticed two unfamiliar but similar names.
A quick read through the substitutes’ bench and Michael and Matthew Craig wouldn’t have been recognised by the most ardent of Tottenham’s faithful awaiting the beginning of their Europa Conference League campaign.
But, behind the scenes at Hotspur Way, the identical twins have earned the plaudits from youth coaches, and caught the eye of Nuno Espírito Santo.
The Scottish youngsters, both 18 but born two minutes apart, started off their youth careers at Watford.
When they were Under-12’s, Matthew joined Spurs while Michael trained with Arsenal’s academy before rejoining his sibling a year later at the Lilywhites.
FOOTBALL IN THE FAMILY
Aside from sharing a genetic make-up with each other, the pair also have football in their blood.
Their grandfathers are both from Scotland. One, Ron Still, who played 46 games for Notts County.
Their dad David played non-league football for Cockfosters and Broxbourne.
Away from football, education has been important for Michael and Matthew, who attended Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potters Bar.
While they were juggling their football careers, they sat A-levels in French and Maths – scoring A’s in both, but Matthew picking up an A* in the latter.
Before they ever thought about a career in football, the Craig twins appeared as models wearing kids’ ranges for popular department stores.
STEPPING UP
Last season, Michael and Matthew were standouts in the Development Squad.
They both operated in midfield, although Matthew filled in at centre half when called upon.
And you won’t see them arguing on the pitch, when things get tough.
Unlike some brothers, these two get along famously well.
“I’m lucky because I get on with my brother really well so you always have someone to speak to if you need to and if you want to go out and do something you’ve always got someone to do it with,” Matthew said.
“If he doesn’t want to do something I’ll pester him into it!”
CLEVER LINK-UP PLAY
Knowing each other inside out means Michael and Matthew know exactly how to link up together on the pitch.
Being a twin, perhaps, will certainly give you natural chemistry together.
“I think we’re lucky,” Michael divulged.
“Everyone has players who they have a natural chemistry with and when you spend a lot of your lives together, you just end up knowing what the other person wants from you on and off the pitch.
“That gives you a deeper understanding of how you can work with them to try to dominate games with the team.”
FAMOUS FOOTBALLING TWINS
MICHAEL and Matthew Craig aren’t the first footballing twins to grace the beautiful game. Here’s more who became pros against the odds.
Fabio and Rafael da Silva – The Brazilian defenders made their name at Manchester United after signing from Fluminense. They played together for six years at Old Trafford, before parting ways.
Ronald and Frank de Boer – Astonishingly, the de Boer twins played together at five different clubs – Ajax, Barcelona, Rangers and then Al-Rayyan and Al-Shamal in Qatar. They, of course, starred for Netherlands too.
Lars and Sven Bender – Both midfielders, they came through the ranks at 1860 Munich. They starred at Bayer Leverkusen together, before they initially retired. However, they’re now back with ninth-tier TSV Brannenburg.
Ray and Rod Wallace – The first twins to play in the Premier League, the pair starred at Leeds United in the early 1990s. Rod enjoyed the better career, and went on to score 45 goals in 197 top flight games.
Florentin and Mathias Pogba – The elder twin siblings of Paul aren’t as famous as their younger brother, but have enjoyed steady careers in France. And they’ve both played internationally for Guinea.
With Tottenham’s Europa Conference League campaign hanging in the balance following a 1-0 loss in the first leg, it might be unlikely that either one of the pair appears tonight.
However, like footballing twins Ronald and Frank de Boer, they could forge a career for club and country playing together.
And if they do, they’ll make history for both Spurs and Scotland. What a feat that would be.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
