Michael Craig (footballer, born 2003)

Michael Craig
Personal information
Full name Michael James Craig
Date of birth (2003-04-16) 16 April 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Barnet, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Reading
Number 5
Youth career
Watford
2015–2022 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Reading 41 (1)
International career‡
2018 Scotland U16 3 (0)
2019 Scotland U17 3 (0)
2021–2022 Scotland U19 6 (0)
2022– Scotland U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:59, 24 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:42, 25 September 2022 (UTC)

Michael James Craig (born 16 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the EFL League One club Reading. Born in England, he is a youth international for Scotland.

Background

Michael Craig and his younger identical twin brother Matthew were born 2 minutes apart on 16 March 2003. Both of their grandfathers hail from Scotland including Aberdeen born Ron Still who top scored for Notts County one season and also played for Brentford, both in the mid-1960s.[1]

Club career

Craig and twin brother Matthew both played for Watford at a young age before both joined Tottenham Hotspur when aged 12. Michael was at Arsenal between Watford and Spurs.[2] Whilst with Tottenham Hotspur, Craig featured on the bench for the away leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Playoff tie against Paços de Ferreira.[3] In February 2022, he went on trial with fellow Premier League side Southampton.[4]

Reading

In April 2022, Craig featured for Reading in their Berks & Bucks Senior Cup semi-final against Milton Keynes Dons.[5]

On 22 June 2022, Reading announced the signing of Craig to their U23 team.[6] Craig made his debut for Reading in their 2–1 EFL Cup defeat to Stevenage on 9 August 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute for Tyrese Fornah.[7]

On 8 May 2024, Reading activated a one-year extension to Craig's contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2025.[8]

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Craig was given the number 5 shirt, and featured predominantly at right-back in the first stages of the campaign. On 22 October 2024, Craig scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 away win against Exeter City F.C..[9]

International career

Both born in England, Michael Craig and his younger identical twin Matthew Craig have represented Scotland at age group level. Matthew said of their international allegiance, "Both of my grandfathers are Scottish. Obviously, once Scotland came calling, it was a big honour to be selected here, There wasn't a debate."[2]

Craig has represented Scotland at U16, U17 and U19 level.[10] On 8 September 2022, Craig was called up to the Scotland U21 squad for the first time,[11] making his debut on 22 September 2022 against Northern Ireland.

Career statistics

As of match played 20 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Reading 2022–23[12] EFL Championship 2 0 2 0 1 0 - 5 0
2023–24[13] EFL League One 28 0 2 0 2 0 4[a] 0 36 0
Career total 30 0 4 0 3 0 4 0 41 0
  1. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/michael-and-matthew-craig-who-are-the-scottish-twins-in-the-tottenham-squad-for-pacos-de-ferreira-clash-3353258 [bare URL]
  2. ^ a b >https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/22489474.matthew-craig-reveals-twin-ambitions-make-history-scotland
  3. ^ "Michael and Matthew Craig: Who are the Scottish twins in the Tottenham squad for Paços de Ferreira clash?". scotsman.com.
  4. ^ "Southampton eyeing transfer move for Tottenham midfielder as next Tino Livramento-style signing". hampshirelive.news. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Reading FC play former Tottenham Hotspur teenager in semi-final". readingchronicle.co.uk/. Reading Chronicle. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  6. ^ "CRAIG AND CLARKE JOIN ROYALS AS HOLZMAN AND STICKLAND INK DEALS". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  7. ^ "SNAPS FROM CARABAO CUP MATCH..." readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  8. ^ "READING FC RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". readingfc.co.uk. Reading F.C. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Exeter City 1–2 Reading: Wareham goal helps Royals end away day misery". rdg.today. Wokingham Today. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  10. ^ "MICHAEL CRAIG". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Scot Gemmill names squad for Northern Ireland double header". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Games played by Michael Craig in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Games played by Michael Craig in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2022.