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 tie against Poland's Jagiellonia Białystok, and the match finished 1‑1 at Ibrox. However, the aggregate score of 3‑2 meant Rangers were eliminated, marking their quickest departure from the competition since 2017.
The defeat also extended McInnes' winless run as the club's manager to four matches. The Polish side had previously taken a playful swipe at Rangers by suggesting that the club's name resembled a Wi‑Fi password, a jab that did not sit well with the home supporters. When the final whistle blew, a chorus of boos echoed around the stadium, 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.
He added that the club’s ambitions are clearly aimed at competing in both the Europa League and the Champions League, but he doubts the current squad is prepared for those challenges. "It pains me to say it, but the team isn’t quite ready at the moment," he admitted.
McInnes stressed the need for higher quality and greater confidence within the squad. With left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti sidelined by injury, he opted for a back‑three formation, making five changes from the previous weekend’s defeat to Hibernian. "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times it became a bit too open in the first half," he said. He noted that wing‑backs Gassama and Yakota were tasked with demanding responsibilities, which occasionally left the team exposed.
Despite the tactical adjustments, McInnes believed the changes yielded some positive moments, particularly in the penalty‑box area that led to Rangers' goal. He also acknowledged that Jagiellonia created a few scares of their own. Nonetheless, he lamented the lack of a full‑90‑minute performance that meets the club’s standards. "For a while now, Rangers have been unable to deliver a complete, convincing 90 minutes," he observed, adding that the team’s recent four games have shown flashes of quality but not enough consistency.
The manager was particularly frustrated by a defensive lapse that resulted in a goal. "It’s incomprehensible how we didn’t make a foul, how we failed to disrupt the attack, how we didn’t simply neutralise the situation," McInnes said.
He clarified that the problem was not a shortage of players, but a deficiency in decision‑making and intelligence on the pitch. "We lost our composure after that moment, and that’s the honest truth," he concluded. At 55, McInnes is the sixth permanent manager appointed since Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2021.
Although his start at Ibrox has been far from ideal, he remains confident that he can reverse the club’s fortunes. "What we delivered last year wasn’t good enough.
You get a job for a reason – to improve things," the former Hearts boss asserted. He emphasized that the role demands swift progress, especially when the team is underperforming. McInnes underlined that Rangers should be winning games, particularly against opponents they are expected to beat. "There’s no two‑way street – we should be winning this match," he said, highlighting the urgency of securing victories before the upcoming league cup tie against holders St Mirren.
He acknowledged that there is still work to be done before the transfer window closes, but stressed the immediate need to prepare for the next fixture. In summary, McInnes’ post‑match interview painted a picture of a club with lofty European aspirations but a squad that currently lacks the necessary experience, cohesion, and tactical sharpness to fulfil those goals.
The manager called for higher standards, smarter play, and a stronger mental attitude, insisting that Rangers must transform their performances if they hope to compete on the continental stage and meet the expectations of their supporters.