Two Rangers-linked stars played the full 90 minutes for Middlesbrough as Chelsea overcame the Championship side in the FA Cup amid a background of ticket controversy.
The London club are in a period of tumultuous takeover uncertainty after sanctions on former owner Roman Abramovich following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A pro-Putin Oligarch, the Russian businessman has until Friday 25th March to sell the club he values at £3bn with over 20 parties rumoured to be interested in buying the side [BBC Sport].
However, as a result of the sanctions Chelsea were unable to sell the entirety of their tickets for the match and had requested for the game to be played behind closed doors [TalkSPORT].
However, the game went ahead as planned with the remaining briefs snapped up by expectant Boro fans who’d seen their side already knock out Manchester United and Tottenham in earlier rounds.
But it wasn’t to be for Chris Wilder’s side as Thomas Tuchel’s team overcame their lower league rivals 2-0 at the Riverside courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech.
Taking to the pitch was ex-Rangers star Matt Crooks – the hero of the day against Man United – and Marcus Tavernier, the brother of Rangers captain James.
Both players played 90 minutes for the Championship side but their FA Cup campaigns will end at the Quarter Final stage as the Blues go on to the semis and a trip to Wembley.
Ex-Rangers Middlesbrough star Matt Crooks tastes Chelsea defeat
Matt Crooks joined the Gers from Accrington Stanley alongside Josh Windass in 2016 but had a more challenging spell in Glasgow than his English counterpart.
Matt Crooks’ spell was interrupted by injury and some nights to forget.
The versatile defensive midfielder’s first start was a horror show in a woeful 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle five months after he joined and from January 2019 Crooks was sent back to the EFL.
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.
It’s been a noble cup run from both Matt Crooks and Marcus Tavernier and whilst it might’ve ended up the Quarter Final stage v Chelsea the Middlesbrough duo can hold their heads up high.
Meanwhile, the Rangers B team were making a big impression on home soil as they thrashed their Celtic rivals in an emphatic showing at Ibrox.
