Former Rangers midfielder Matt Crooks played a starring role for Middlesbrough as they dumped Premier League Tottenham out of the FA Cup.
The imposing 6ft4 midfielder – who is now 28 – had an ill-fated stint at Ibrox earlier in his career after joining alongside Josh Windass from Accrington Stanley in 2016.
But now an influential player for Middlesbrough, we’ve spoken previously about how the ex-Rotherham man is spearheading something of a late promotion charge at the Riverside.
And now Crooks played a starring role for Chris Wilder’s side in a famous 1-0 victory over Spurs in the northeast that heaps the pressure on Antonio Conte and the Tottenham board.
Matt Crooks stars in Middlesbrough FA Cup win over Spurs
After a spirited display over 90 minutes, Middlesbrough pipped Tottenham in extra time courtesy of a Josh Coburn winner.
This is after Matt Crooks flashed a golden opportunity to score for Middlesbrough over the bar by powering a header over the Tottenham goal in the first half.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane – still without a winner’s medal in his career – also had a goal controversially ruled out for offside.
The result sends Middlesbrough and ex-Rangers star Matt Crooks through to the 6th round of the tournament and the midfielder certainly appeared to be enjoying himself on social media afterwards.
The versatile defensive midfielder had a challenge stint at Rangers and his first star was a horror show in a woeful 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, with the midfielder moving back to the EFL on loan just a few months later.
But despite the fact Crooks’ time in Glasgow was plagued with injury, Rangers appear to have left an impression on the Middlesbrough star who was back at Ibrox for the clash with Dortmund.
Once a Ranger always a Ranger and the Ibrox support will be wishing Matt Crooks all the best in his hunt for promotion and FA Cup glory.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been caught short by a woeful PR campaign ahead of a planned trip to play Celtic in Australia.
