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 Bialystok, a match that ended 1‑1 at Ibrox but saw the visitors advance 3‑2 on aggregate. This elimination marks Rangers' swiftest departure from the competition since 2017, and it also extended McInnes' winless streak as the club’s manager to four games. The Polish opponents had earlier taken a jab at the Rangers supporters, suggesting that the club’s name sounded like a Wi‑Fi password.
The crowd responded with a chorus of boos after 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.
He went on to stress the ambition of the club: "We need to be honest – the club is built for Europa League and Champions League participation, that’s the goal. But I’m not convinced the squad is quite ready for that level at this moment, and it pains me to admit it." McInnes highlighted the need for higher quality and greater confidence within the team.
Injuries to left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti forced him to reshuffle the lineup, opting for a back three after making five changes from the previous defeat to Hibernian. He noted, "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times it became too open in the first half. Gassama and Yakota were essentially used as wing‑backs, which demanded a lot from them." He defended the tactical gamble, saying it produced some positive moments in the box, including the goal that gave Rangers a brief lead.
However, he also admitted that Jagiellonia posed several scares and that the performance fell short of a full 90‑minute standard. "For a while now, Rangers have struggled to deliver a consistent 90‑minute display. In the four games we’ve played, we’ve had flashes of quality, but not enough to secure the results we need," McInnes added. The manager was particularly critical of the defensive lapses that led to the decisive goal.
"It’s inexplicable how we failed to make a timely foul, how we didn’t disrupt the flow of the attack, how we didn’t simply neutralise the situation. It isn’t a lack of bodies, it’s a lack of intelligence and decision‑making," he said.
He confessed that the team lost composure after the concession and that this mental collapse contributed to the defeat. At 55, McInnes is the sixth permanent manager appointed by Rangers since Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2021.
Despite a rocky start to his tenure, he remains confident that he can reverse the club’s fortunes. "What we delivered last season wasn’t sufficient.
You get a job for a reason – to improve things. Sometimes you’re hired because things aren’t right, and you have to act quickly to set the right direction," the ex‑Hearts coach remarked.
He stressed the importance of winning domestic fixtures as well, noting the upcoming League Cup tie against holders St Mirren. "Rangers, when at their best, should be winning games. We have work to do before the window closes, but also between now and Sunday to prepare for the cup clash," McInnes said. The early European exit will undoubtedly add pressure on McInnes and his squad, but the manager’s candid assessment suggests a clear roadmap: raise the overall quality, build confidence, and tighten defensive decision‑making.
By addressing these areas, Rangers hope to return to the continental stage with a side capable of sustaining a full 90‑minute performance at the level demanded by Europe’s elite competitions.