Derek McInnes openly acknowledged that Rangers are still a step short of the standards required for regular competition in the Europa League. The Glasgow club had drawn the second leg of their third‑qualifying round encounter with Poland's Jagiellonia Białystok 1‑1 at Ibrox, only to be eliminated on a 3‑2 aggregate scoreline. This defeat marks the earliest departure from the tournament for the club since the 2017 campaign and extends McInnes' winless run as manager at Ibrox to four matches.
The Polish side, Jagiellonia, responded to a fan chant that compared their club name to a Wi‑Fi password with a cheeky retort, prompting a chorus of boos from the Rangers supporters when the final whistle blew. McInnes said he understood the reaction and felt it was justified. "It was justified, to be honest. It wasn't good enough.
What we served up, particularly in the second half, wasn't good enough," the former Rangers midfielder explained. "We have to be realistic – the club aspires to compete in the Europa League and the Champions League, but at the moment I don't think the squad is quite ready for that level, and it pains me to admit it." He added that the team needs to improve both quality and confidence if they are to fulfil those ambitions. "We need to bring in more quality, we need to build confidence across the squad," McInnes said. Injury problems also hampered the Rangers' plans.
Left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti were both unavailable, forcing McInnes to switch to a back‑three formation and make five changes to the starting XI that had suffered a defeat to Hibernian the previous weekend. "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times the first half became a little too open. Gassama and Yakota were asked to operate almost as wing‑backs, which was a heavy workload for them," McInnes noted. "That approach did produce some positive moments in the box, and we managed to get a goal.
I thought we were good value for the half‑time score, although Jagiellonia gave us a few scares as well." He was blunt about the overall performance, describing it as another sub‑par 90‑minute display that has become a recurring theme for Rangers this season. "In the four games we've played, there have been flashes of quality, but nothing has been good enough, certainly not a strong enough full‑time performance," he said.
"We missed a chance to score, and it was baffling that we didn't commit a foul, didn't disrupt their attack, and didn't simply neutralise the situation. It wasn't a lack of bodies, it was a lack of intelligence and the right decisions." McInnes admitted that the team lost composure after conceding, and that the loss of focus contributed to the defeat. "We lost all our composure after that, if I'm being honest with you," he added.
At 55, McInnes is the sixth permanent manager to take charge of Rangers since Steven Gerrard's departure in 2021. Despite the poor start to his tenure, he remains confident that he can reverse the club's fortunes.
"What we delivered last season wasn't good enough. You get a job for a reason – to improve things. Sometimes you are appointed because things aren't right, and you have to act quickly to set the course straight," the former Hearts boss said. "There's no doubt about it, we should be winning this game.
Rangers, when at their best, should be winning, and we have work to do between now and the end of the transfer window, and also to prepare for the upcoming League Cup tie against the holders St Mirren on Sunday." McInnes' candid assessment underscores the challenges facing Rangers as they aim to re‑establish themselves among Europe's elite. The manager highlighted the need for strategic signings, tactical adjustments, and a renewed mental resilience to bridge the gap between their current state and the lofty ambitions of competing in Europe's premier club competitions. The club's supporters, while critical, will be looking for tangible progress in the weeks ahead as the manager seeks to turn criticism into constructive change.