Derek McInnes openly acknowledged that Rangers are not yet equipped to compete at the level required for the Europa League. The Glasgow club hosted the second leg of their third‑qualifying‑round encounter with Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok, a match that finished 1-1 at Ibrox but saw the visitors progress 3-2 on aggregate. This elimination marks Rangers' swiftest exit from European competition since the 2016‑17 season, and it also extended McInnes' winless run as the club's manager to four matches.
Jagiellonia, after being teased for having a name that resembled a Wi‑Fi password, provoked a chorus of boos from the Rangers supporters at the final whistle. McInnes accepted the reaction, saying the crowd's displeasure was justified. "It wasn't good enough, especially in the second half," the former Rangers midfielder explained.
"We need to be honest – the club aspires to be a regular in the Europa League and the Champions League, but at the moment I don't think the squad is ready for that level, and that pains me." He added that the team must improve its quality and confidence if it hopes to fulfil those ambitions. The side were already missing key players – left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti – due to injuries, prompting McInnes to reshuffle the formation into a back three and make five changes from the previous weekend's loss to Hibernian. "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times it became too open in the first half," McInnes said. He praised the wing‑back duties performed by Gassama and Yakota, noting that they were asked to cover a lot of ground.
"That gave us more activity in the box and helped us find the goal," he continued. However, he admitted that Jagiellonia still posed a few scares and that the performance fell short of a full ninety‑minute display of quality.
"For a while now Rangers have struggled to deliver a consistent 90‑minute performance," McInnes observed. "In the four games we've played there have been moments of promise, but overall it hasn't been good enough. The lack of composure after conceding, the failure to make timely fouls, and the inability to disrupt the opposition's flow were all symptoms of a deeper problem – not a shortage of bodies, but a lack of intelligence and decision‑making." At 55, McInnes is the sixth permanent manager appointed since Steven Gerrard's departure in 2021. Despite the poor start, he remains convinced that the situation can be turned around.
"What we delivered last season wasn't sufficient. You get a job for a reason – to improve things," he said, referring to his previous tenure at Hearts. "We have to act quickly to get the club moving in the right direction.
There's no doubt we should be winning this game." Looking ahead, McInnes emphasized the importance of preparing for the upcoming League Cup tie against defending champions St Mirren. "Rangers, when at their best, should be winning every match. We have work to do between now and the end of the transfer window, but also between now and Sunday to be ready for that cup tie," he asserted. The defeat also highlighted broader issues within the squad, such as tactical discipline and mental resilience.
McInnes noted that the team must develop a stronger defensive structure, especially when transitioning from attack to defence, and that the players need to exhibit greater situational awareness to avoid costly errors. He suggested that recruitment during the January window could bring in the necessary depth and experience to bridge the gap between the current squad and the standards required for European competition. In summary, McInnes' post‑match comments painted a picture of a club in transition, aware of its shortcomings and eager to address them. While the fans expressed their frustration loudly, the manager's candid assessment offers a roadmap: improve quality, boost confidence, enhance tactical intelligence, and make strategic signings.
Only by tackling these areas can Rangers hope to fulfill their ambition of regular participation in the Europa League and, eventually, the Champions League.