Premier League legend unrecognisable as he turns his hand to painting and decorating at the home of racing icon

FORMER Middlesbrough star Craig Hignett looks unrecognisable after he was pictured painting and decorating at the house of racing legend Derek Thompson.

Thompson, 72, a horse racing commentator and presenter, shared an image of the pair in his home on Wednesday.

And he added the caption: “Look who’s turned up to help me decorate my house today! Former ⁦@Boro star Craig Hignett.

“@higs swapped his kit for new overalls as he didn’t want to get Messi .”

Hignett spent six years as a Boro player between 1992 and 1998.

He racked up more than 100 appearances for the North East outfit, helping them secure promotion from the second tier as champions in 1995.

Hignett, who played as a midfielder, winger and striker, then featured in both the League Cup and FA Cup finals in 1997.

But Boro were on the wrong end of both.

They lost to Leicester in the League Cup final after a replay, before Chelsea beat them 2-0 in the FA Cup.

Prior to his time at the Riverside Stadium, he came through as a youth team player at Liverpool and went on to sign for Crewe.

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Craig Hignett played for Middlesbrough for six yearsNews Group Newspapers Ltd

He also enjoyed stints at the likes of Blackburn, Leicester and LeedsPA:Press Association

After leaving Boro, he featured for the likes of Barnsley, Blackburn, Leicester, Leeds and Hartlepool.

Hignett hung up his boots in 2009 following a 21-year career in the game.

And he has gone on to take charge of Hartlepool on three separate occasions – the last of which came in 2019.

Reacting to the picture of him in painting and decorating gear, one person said: “Two legends x.”

Another replied: “Some player.”

And a third added: “Hope that Paint is Red Tommo?”

He last took charge of Hartlepool back in 2019Getty