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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.
DREAM TEAM IS BACK! SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 21/22 SEASON FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100,000
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

Incoming Tottenham signing Pierluigi Gollini ‘so happy’ as Atalanta keeper travels to airport to complete transfer More

LITTLE-KNOWN Paulo Fonseca is expected to be announced as the new manager at Spurs, and fans can expect a swashbuckling ride next season.The former Roma boss, 48, is reportedly close to being confirmed as the new Tottenham manager.
Paulo Fonseca is reportedly on the verge of being named Spurs bossCredit: Rex
Portuguese manager Fonseca grew up in poverty and was obsessed with Zorro as a kidCredit: AP:Associated Press
Glam Fonseca cuts a suave figure with his stunning wife Katerina, 18 years his younger
As a kid, the Portuguese coach admittedly grew up in poverty in Mozambique, Africa.
His hero was the masked movie hero Zorro, who a young Fonseca would dress up as as a kid.
In 2017, he once appeared in the character’s costume at a press conference while in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk.
A year later, he married the love of his life – Katerina Ostroushko – who is 18 years his junior.
OUT OF AFRICA
Fonseca was born in Nampula, Mozambique in 1973, two years before the African colony gained its independence from Portugal.
His family lived in Africa until he was 14, before moving to Barreiro – a city of just 80,000 people near Lisbon.
It’s where he began in interest in football, and would later enjoy his best years as a professional playing for local side F.C. Barreirense.
But alongside his love of the beautiful game, Fonseca obsessed over his favourite TV show Zorro.
Don Diego de la Vega, better known as masked crusader Zorro, in the 1950s TV hitCredit: Getty – Contributor
Made in the 1950s, the series followed the adventures of Don Diego de la Vega, who opposes the corrupt tyrants of Southern California as the masked swordsman riding horses Phantom and Tornado, alongside sidekick Bernardo.
As a youngster, Fonseca would often dress up as Zorro. And it was something he would repeat in his older years.
ZORRO RETURNS
If Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for the Champions League knockout stages back in 2017, Fonseca declared he would dress up in full Zorro costume.
Placed in a difficult group with Manchester City, Napoli and Feyenoord it was a daunting task.
However, after defeating City a runners-up spot was secured. Fonseca stayed true to his word.
He donned the costume for his post-match press conference – wearing a big smile on his face.
After defeating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Fonseca’s Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for the Champions League last-16Credit: PA:Press Association
Fonseca, true to his word, dressed up in a Zorro outfit during a press conference in a nod to his days growing up in MozambiqueCredit: AP:Associated Press
 “It was my favourite outfit as a kid,” he explained to reporters.
“As a kid we were poor, and if you were poor Zorro was the easiest mask to create for Carnival.”
A YOUNG MAN’S GAME
In 2018, Fonseca said ‘I do’ to the love of his life, Ukrainian beauty Katerina.
She was the former press secretary of Shakhtar owner Rinat Akhmetov, before she quit her job and moved to Rome when Fonseca was offered a post in Serie A.
They met a year before their romantic and intimate Lako Como wedding in front of friends and family, who flew in from Portugal and Ukraine.
The glam couple, who are often seen looking loved-up in stylised pictures on her Instagram, welcomed a son in 2019.
Fonseca was previously married to longterm partner Sandra, and the pair had two children together.
In 2017, Fonseca met stunning Ukrainian beauty Katerina
Katerina is 18 years younger than Fonseca
Katerina is a former press secretary of Shakhtar Donetsk owner Rinat Akhmetov
“He loves all of his three children dearly, he’s an ideal dad,” she told Italian publication Wedding Industry Academy.
“He spends every spare minute he has with Martin, who is absolutely crazy about his father and I sometimes feel jealous.”
MANAGEMENT
Following a career mostly playing second and third division at centre back for clubs including C.F. Os Belenenses and C.S. Marítimo, Fonseca retired at 32.
Immediately, he made the move to get into coaching – and spent two years with the Estrela de Amadora youth side.
Several modest roles later, the ambitious coach scored his first major job at F.C. Paços de Ferreira in 2012, after a successful spell at second division team C.D. Aves.
He guided the club to third in the Portuguese top flight, which meant Paços qualified for their first ever Champions League.
Fonseca’s first trophy as a manager was the 2013 Portuguese Super Cup – won with PortoCredit: Rex
At Braga, Fonseca won the Portuguese domestic cupCredit: AFP
An unsuccessful period at Porto followed, where he won his first ever trophy as a boss (2013 Portuguese Super Cup) but was sacked in his only season in charge – months before the season ended.
He returned to Paços, before scoring another big gig at Braga, who he led to fourth and won the domestic cup – winning plaudits for their attacking play.
TO UKRAINE WITH LOVE
Between 2016-19, Fonseca enjoyed his most successful years in coaching at Shakhtar Donetsk.
His record speaks for itself. In the three seasons he was there he won the Ukrainian double every time.
While in the Champions League, Shakhtar managed a last-16 place during the 2017-18 season.
Again, plenty of plaudits came Fonseca’s way for the expansive and fearless way his team played.
In 2016 Fonseca embarked on a journey to the Ukraine with Shakhtar DonetskCredit: Getty
In his three seasons at Shakhtar Fonseca was praised for his attacking style of playCredit: Rex
Possession-based football was key to his success – with defenders playing a high-line and wing-backs pushing forward.
He was soon to welcome the biggest job of his life.
ROMA
After achieving everything he could at Shakhtar, Fonseca was offered the opportunity to coach in Serie A – one that he couldn’t refuse.
It was a job where his defensive limitations as a coach were exposed. Overall, his Roma team let in 139 goals in his 102 games in charge.
But his first year was somewhat of a success, where he led Roma to fifth in the league.
An exit in the last-16 of the Europa League can be excused, given they fell to eventual winners Sevilla.
However, the following year, with new owners the Friedkin Group running things, it just got tougher.
Struggling in the league, and looking unlikely to achieve the target of Champions League qualification domestically, hopes were pinned on a Europa League run.
Fonseca was brought in at Roma to help the club qualify for the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex
A 6-2 thrashing at Old Trafford was the final nail in the coffin for Fonseca, who was relieved of his duties at Roma in his second seasonCredit: Rex
Is Fonseca the man to bring back the glory days at Tottenham?Credit: Rex
Paulo Fonseca has a point to prove after being sacked by RomaCredit: Rex

A 6-2 thumping at Manchester United was the nail in the coffin for the Portuguese, and it was announced he would leave the job at the end of the season and make-way, ironically, for ex-Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.
Fonseca is now a man with a point to prove. And not only will he have to justify his appointment by getting Spurs back on track after a disappointing campaign, he might have to do it without the want-away Harry Kane.
Like Zorro, he will have to be up for the fight. More