Craig was one of a number of outstanding young players to emerge from City’s Academy in the late 1990s under the tutelage of Richard Money. Along with Gary McSheffrey and Calum Davenport he played in the FA Youth Cup final sides of 1999 and 2000 as a central midfielder. But it was as a right-back that Craig got his first team chance in the final game of the 2001-02 season under the caretaker-managers Peake and Ogrizovic.

The following season he got more opportunities on the right-side of midfield and his tenacity and buzzing style impressed the fans. At Preston that season he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw. In 2003-04 his appearances were more sporadic as his consistency faltered but he came off the bench against Wimbledon to score a stunning long-range goal. After loans at Notts County and Walsall he joined the latter in 2005, teaming up again with Richard Money, and was a first team regular for two seasons. In 2007 he was voted into the PFA divisional team and repeated the feat the following year after moving to Brentford.