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 at Ibrox, where the match finished in a 1‑1 draw. Despite the stalemate, Rangers were eliminated on a 3‑2 aggregate scoreline, marking their quickest departure from the competition since the 2016‑17 season.
The defeat also extended McInnes' winless run as the team's manager to four games. The Polish visitors responded to a fan‑made joke that compared their club name to a Wi‑Fi password, and the Rangers supporters expressed their displeasure with a chorus of boos at full‑time. McInnes confirmed that the reaction was justified, saying the team simply did not produce a performance worthy of the occasion, particularly in the second half. "We have to be realistic – the club aspires to be a regular participant in the Europa and Champions Leagues," the former Rangers midfielder explained.
"But at this moment I don't think the squad is fully ready for that challenge, and it hurts to admit it." He added that the side needs to improve both the quality of play and the confidence levels within the group. Injuries have also hampered the team, with left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti both unavailable. In response, McInnes altered his formation, opting for a back three after making five changes to the lineup that suffered a defeat to Hibernian the previous weekend. "I felt we had to open the game up, and at times the first half became too open," McInnes said, referring to the wing‑back duties assigned to Gassama and Yakota.
"We asked a lot from them, but it did produce some positive moments in the box and ultimately led to the goal." He praised the team's effort in the first half‑time period, noting that Jagiellonia created a few dangerous chances. However, he lamented the lack of consistency over a full 90 minutes, a problem he said has persisted throughout the season. "In the four games we have played there have been flashes of quality, but none have been sufficient to deliver a strong, complete performance," McInnes observed. The manager was particularly frustrated by a defensive lapse that resulted in a goal, describing it as "inexplicable".
He criticised the team's inability to make a timely foul, to disrupt the opposition's rhythm, or to simply clear the danger. "It wasn't a matter of lacking bodies, it was a lack of intelligence and the right decision‑making," he insisted. The loss of composure after that moment, according to McInnes, was evident throughout the squad. At 55, he is the sixth permanent manager appointed since Steven Gerrard's departure in 2021.
Despite a difficult start to his tenure, McInnes remains confident that he can reverse the club's fortunes. "What we delivered last season was not good enough," he said, referring to his previous spell at Hearts. "You are hired to improve things, and sometimes you are brought in because things are already off‑track.
Our job is to get the situation moving in the right direction as quickly as possible." He stressed that Rangers should be winning matches, especially against teams they are expected to dominate. "There is no doubt about it – we should have been victorious today.
We have work to do before the transfer window closes, and we must be ready for the upcoming League Cup tie against the holders, St Mirren, on Sunday," McInnes concluded. Overall, McInnes' remarks underline a clear message: Rangers must raise their standards, sharpen their tactical awareness, and build the mental resilience needed for European competition. The manager's candid assessment, combined with the fans' vocal discontent, signals that significant changes are likely on the horizon if the club is to fulfill its ambition of regular continental football.