SPURS starlet Matthew Craig is aiming to create history in the future with his brother Michael by becoming the first ever identical twins to play for Scotland.
The 19-year-old midfielder could make his Scotland Under 21s debut this afternoon in Belfast as Scot Gemmill’s new-look side take on Northern Ireland in a friendly, alongside his twin who plays for Reading.
Scotland have never fielded identical twins in their 150-year history.
Craig has made eye-catching progress at Tottenham Hotspur where he’s worked closely with Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho and was on their bench for a recent game in Europe.
And he’s aiming to make a big impact at international level too after learning from Spurs’ big stars, along with his brother.
He said: “I’d say I was the better player and he would say he was!
“It’s unique being able to play with someone as close as he is. We are identical twins too.
“I was playing with him at Spurs for four or five years before he moved onto Reading. And I know his strengths and he knows my strengths. We can play off each other easily.
“We also give each other mental and moral support too. He has gone through the same journey as me – we are both trying to break into the professional world.
“People say to us that we have telepathy and that kind of thing. Maybe it comes across that way some of the time, but it’s more that when you spend a lot of time with someone you know what their tendencies are. But if people want to believe it’s telepathy I am happy to let them think that!
“It was different when he left because we had played for so long together, but it’s obviously going to be really difficult to play at club level together.
“In my opinion, it was needed that we went our separate ways. But who knows what will happen in the future – we could meet up at a club again or country.
“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.”
And Craig is getting a fantastic footballing education at the English title challengers.
He said: “I have been there since I was 12. I’ve gone through the age groups.
“Under Nuno, we had a Europa Conference game where there were opportunities for the younger players to go into the squad.
“And to be in the first team environment and on an away trip too and to see the atmosphere was amazing.”
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