Arriving at the SCL Stadium ahead of the Young Royals’ Berks and Bucks semi-final against MK Dons at 6pm, 6.30 came and the team news was out.

A quick scan and the squad looked strong, with eight of the starting 11 having already made their first team debuts for the Royals.

However, there was one surprise- Craig.

After pinching a look at someone’s team sheet, it was clear that there was an Under-23s debut for a member of the starting side.

A quick Google search helped discover that 18-year-old Michael Craig, who is currently without a club, was lining up for Noel Hunt’s side.

So that left the question…who is Michael Craig?

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

A Scotland youth international, with six appearances for the Under-19s so far this season, the midfielder was most recently at Tottenham Hotspur, having joined at 12-years-old alongside twin brother Matthew.

The versatile youngster can play in midfielder or at right-back, and played nine times for Spurs Under-23s, registering one assist, and two Checkatrade Trophy appearances.

Incredibly, the twins were also named on the bench for Antonio Conte’s side’s Europa Conference League match against Pacos de Ferreira- becoming the first set of identical twins to do so.

According to reports from HampshireLive, Craig was recently on trial with Southampton and was released by Tottenham on February 10, 2022.

In the Under-23s 4-0 hammering of MK Dons, Craig played the holding midfield role, and played it comfortably.

Never looking fazed in possession, he was constantly looking to receive the ball, turn and play forward.

With Kia Joorabchian's agency, close friend of Reading owner Mr Dai, Sports Invest UK, representing the London-born teenager, it would be no surprise to see the midfielder continue to represent the side this season, with a possible view to a contract at the end of the season.