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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.
Tottenham twins Matthew, left, and Michael have been with Spurs since they were 13Credit: www.tottenhamhotspur.com
The talented siblings have risen through the ranks and were named in Spurs’ Europa Conference League first team squadCredit: www.tottenhamhotspur.com
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.
The Craigs line up in midfield together against Arsenal’s U18’s last seasonCredit: www.tottenhamhotspur.com
Michael Craig can play at centre half tooCredit: Getty
Matthew scored an A* in is French A-levelCredit: Getty
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 TWINSMICHAEL 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.

Matthew says he gets on well with his siblingCredit: Getty
Michael claims they link up well together because of their natural chemistryCredit: Getty

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.
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IN terms of the dressing room jukebox, Tottenham’s stars might be in good hands with Pierluigi Gollini.Spurs are set to bring in the Italian shotstopper, 26, from Atalanta on a loan deal that could become permanent, if he makes 20 appearances for the Premier League club for £13million.
Spurs are bringing in Atalanta keeper Pierluigi Gollini to challenge for the No1 spotCredit: AFP
Gollini is a rapper and has released his own musicCredit: YouTube: EsseMagazine
Gollini already has experience of playing on our shores. First, he trained with Manchester United’s academy stars from the age of 17 for two years.
In 2016, he had a brief spell with Aston Villa before making his name at Atalanta and becoming an Italian international.
However, it’s his skills with the mic he’s fondly thought of as his alias Gollorius.
The 6ft 4in goalie fulfilled an ambition by releasing his own rap record called ‘Rapper with Gloves’.
Generous Gollini even made sure all proceeds from the song were donated to charity.
SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING
In 2018, Gollini became rapper Gollorius and released his very own hip-hop song.
While Drake or Kendrick Lamar may not feel threatened just yet, ‘Rapper with Gloves’ has so far gained over a million views on YouTube.
And Gollini certainly looked the part with a huge gold chain draped around his neck over the top of a white tee.
In-between spitting lyrics impressively, Pierluigi is seen skipping and doing kick-ups with a group of kids in the promo video for the hit.
‘Rapper with Gloves’ managed to break into the Italian top 100. Any money made from its release was given to charity.
Italian shotstopper Gollini showed he has a flair for spitting lyrics on single ‘Rapper with Gloves’Credit: YouTube: EsseMagazine
Under the moniker Gollorius, Gollini scored a top 100 hit in ItalyCredit: Instagram @piergollo
RED DEVIL’S DELIGHT
Gollini began his football career at Fiorentina’s academy, before embarking on a potentially career-changing move to England.
At 17, he joined Manchester United’s academy where he would spend the next two years.
However, he found first team opportunities hard to come by at Old Trafford.
Around the same time he was with the Red Devils, David De Gea was beginning to make his name with the club.
In 2014, he returned to Italy with Hellas Verona after failing to establish himself.
Gollini was part of Man Utd’s academy when he was 17Credit: Getty
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After failing to make the grade with United, Gollini may have felt he had a point to prove in England.
Aston Villa took a chance on him in 2016, when Roberto Di Matteo was boss and they were in the Championship.
However, as soon as the ex-Chelsea manager was given the boot he found himself out of favour under Steve Bruce.
He made 20 appearances in the 2016-17 season, before he was told he surplus to requirements.
Gollini was soon shipped out on loan to Atalanta, where he would undoubtedly prove himself.
Gollini returned to England with Aston Villa but failed to impress in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association
FINDING HIS FEET
In 2018, Gollini signed a permanent deal with the Serie A side.
Initially, he spent the first half of the year as backup to Etrit Berisha. But in the second half of the season he managed to dislodge his rival.
By 2019-20, he was first choice – appearing for Atalanta in their debut Champions League campaign.
Proving to be an astute buy, his performances helped the club reached the last-16 of the tournament.
And in the league, they finished a respectable third in their last two seasons with Gollini between the sticks.
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At Atalanta Gollini found his feet and proved to be a top keeperCredit: Getty
MANCINI CALLING
Although Gianluigi Donnarumma is, and will probably be for some time, the undisputed No1 for Italy – Gollini is an able deputy.
In November, 2019 he earned his first (and only) cap when Roberto Mancini called up for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Appearing as a second half substitute for Donnarumma, Gollini kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win.
Tottenham fans will be hoping the opposition will draw blanks against their new keeper, when he makes his bow for the club.
Capped by Italy in 2019, Gollini appears to have a bright futureCredit: Getty

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