Derek McInnes openly acknowledged that Rangers are not yet equipped to compete at the level required for the Europa League. The Glasgow club had drawn the second leg of their third‑round qualifying tie against Poland's Jagiellonia Białystok 1‑1 at Ibrox, but ultimately fell out of the competition with a 3‑2 aggregate defeat.

This loss marks the earliest European elimination for the Rangers since the 2017 campaign and extends McInnes' winless run as manager to four matches. During the post‑match proceedings, Jagiellonia's supporters responded to a comment that their club name resembled a Wi‑Fi password with a tongue‑in‑cheek chant.

In reaction, Rangers fans expressed their displeasure by booing loudly at the final whistle, a reaction that McInnes said he understood and accepted. "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 need to be honest – the club is built for Europa League and Champions League ambitions, and that is the goal. But I’m not convinced the squad is ready for that level at this moment, and it pains me to admit it." He added that the team must improve its quality and confidence: "We need to raise the standard, we need to extract more belief from the players." Injury woes also hampered the side, with left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti both sidelined. McInnes responded by reshaping the back line into a three‑man defence and making five changes from the previous weekend's loss to Hibernian. "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times the first half became too open.

Gassama and Yakota were asked to operate almost as wing‑backs, which was a heavy demand on them," he said. He believed the tactical shift yielded some positives: "It paid off in terms of creating chances in the box and we managed to get the goal.

I thought we were good value for the half‑hour we played, although Jagiellonia gave us a few scares as well." Nevertheless, McInnes lamented that Rangers have struggled to deliver a full 90‑minute performance of the required intensity. "This has been a pattern this season.

In the four games we have played, there have been flashes of quality, but none have been sufficient or sustained for a complete match." He was particularly critical of a moment when the team failed to intervene defensively: "It is incomprehensible how we did not commit a foul, how we failed to disrupt the attack, how we did not simply neutralise the situation. It is not a lack of bodies, but a lack of intelligence and decision‑making." The 55‑year‑old manager, who is the sixth permanent boss since Steven Gerrard's departure in 2021, admitted the squad lost composure after that incident. "We lost all our composure after that, if I'm being honest," he said.

Despite the bleak start, McInnes remains confident he can reverse the trend. "What we produced last year was not good enough. You get a job for a reason – to improve things. Sometimes you are hired because things are not right, and you must act quickly to set them on the correct path.

There is no alternative: we should be winning this game." He emphasized that Rangers must regroup quickly, noting the upcoming league cup tie against holders St Mirren: "Rangers, as strong as they can be, should be winning today, and we have work to do before the window closes, but especially between now and Sunday to prepare for the cup match." In summary, McInnes' post‑match interview painted a picture of a club with lofty European aspirations but a squad that is still finding its footing. The manager highlighted tactical adjustments, injury setbacks, and a need for greater mental sharpness and tactical intelligence. While the early European exit is a disappointment, the focus now shifts to domestic competitions, where the manager hopes to restore confidence, tighten the defence, and deliver the consistent 90‑minute performances that Rangers fans expect.