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Fullname: Michael Craig
Born: 20 Sep 1977
Birthplace: Glasgow
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 10st 2lb
Signed: 1 Aug 1993 (from Celtic Boys Club)
Left: 1 June 1995 (to Aberdeen)
Position: Forward
Debut: 18 Feb 1995 -v- Meadowbank Thistle (Scottish Cup R4 Celtic 3-0 Meadowbank) came on as a sub for Phil O’Donnell
Internationals: Scotland U21s (none for senior)
Biog
Michael Craig was former Celtic assistant manager Tommy Craig’s nephew. He was signed as an S-Former to the Club at the age of 13 and played with Celtic Boys Club though he mainly continued to play in the Aberdeen area where he was brought up. In 1992 he made the Scotland U15 team. He joined the Celtic groundstaff full time in 1993/94.
In 1994/95 he continued on the groundstaff and played in the U19 squad. He was a Scotland U17 player this season and went to International Youth Tournament, Kearney, USA with U18’s. He played most of the season as striker with the U18’s stepping up to the Reserves from time to time. He was rated highly by MacAdam and Connor.
After a good run with the Reserves he made his debut with the first team as a sub in the Scottish Cup game against Meadowbank which Celtic easily won 3-0.
He was expected to go on and win a starting place with the first team however with his uncle’s departure and being out of contract at the end of the season he left at the end of the season.
It was a tough era for any young player to make a breakthrough with Celtic desperate to stop Ranges matching and surpassing nine-in-a-row which hindered opportunities to bleed in youngsters.
He was offered new terms but chose to join Aberdeen teaming up with his uncle again on 21 July 1995. Farmed out to East End Juniors before making a League debut in the final game of 1995/96. Went to Euro ’96 as a “squad butler” and was also capped when his uncle was Scotland U21 coach.
He was at Aberdeen for three years before being released and joining Montrose in December 1998. Seemingly Alex Miller had not rated him as highly as Roy Aitken did. In 2000/01 he played for Huntly.
Spent 2001 in Australia as player/coach of Yoogali and despite reported interest from Sydney Olympic and Paramatta Power, he returned to Glentanar Juniors for 2002/03.
Playing Career
APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
1993-95 | 0 | (1) | n/a | n/a | (1) |
Goals: | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 |
League Appearances | League Goals | ||
1994/95 | Celtic | 0 | 0 |
1995/96 | Aberdeen | 1 | 0 |
East End (loan) | ? | ? | |
1996/97 | Aberdeen | 5 | 1 |
1997/98 | Aberdeen | 0 | 0 |
1998/99 | Montrose | 15 | 5 |
1999/00 | Montrose | 19 | 1 |
2000/01 | Huntly | ? | ? |
2001 | Yoogali | ? | ? |
2002/03 | Glentanar | ? | ? |
Honours with Celtic
none