Derek McInnes openly conceded that his Rangers side is 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 outfit Jagiellonia Białystok at Ibrox, where the match ended in a 1‑1 draw. The aggregate score of 3‑2 meant Rangers were eliminated, marking their earliest departure from European competition since the 2017 season.
This result also extended McInnes' winless run as the club's manager to four consecutive games. The Polish side, Jagiellonia, responded to a fan chant that likened their name to a Wi‑Fi password with a sharp retort, prompting a wave of boos from the Rangers supporters at full‑time. McInnes acknowledged the reaction, saying the crowd’s displeasure was understandable given the performance on the pitch.
"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 ambition is to regularly feature in both the Europa League and the Champions League, but he doubts the current squad is ready for that challenge. "The club is built for European competition and that's the intention, but I'm not convinced the team is quite prepared at the moment, and it pains me to admit that," McInnes said.
He stressed the need for higher quality and greater confidence within the squad. "We have to improve the standard of play and find a way to boost the players' belief in themselves," he continued. Injury problems also hampered Rangers. Left‑back Tuur Rommens and striker Youssef Chermiti were both unavailable, prompting McInnes to switch to a back‑three formation and make five changes from the previous league defeat to Hibernian.
He admitted the tactical shift was intended to open up the game, but acknowledged that the wing‑back roles assigned to Gassama and Yakota demanded a lot from them and left the team vulnerable at times. "I felt we needed to make the game more open, and at times it became too open in the first half. Gassama and Yakota were essentially acting as wing‑backs, which was a heavy ask," McInnes said.
He believed the approach paid off in terms of creating chances inside the penalty area, which eventually led to the Rangers goal. Nevertheless, he felt Jagiellonia posed several dangerous moments throughout the tie. The manager reflected on the broader pattern of performances this season, noting that Rangers have struggled to deliver a full 90‑minute display of the quality expected from them.
"It's been a continuation of that this season. In the four games we've played, we've had some good moments, but they haven't been sufficient, and certainly not a strong enough 90‑minute performance," he observed. He was particularly critical of a defensive lapse that led to the decisive goal, describing it as inexplicable that the team failed to make a timely foul, disrupt the attack, or otherwise neutralise the danger. "It wasn't a lack of bodies; it was a lack of intelligence, a lack of doing the right thing," McInnes said bluntly.
He admitted the team lost composure after the incident, further compounding the problem. At 55, McInnes is the sixth permanent manager appointed by Rangers since Steven Gerrard's departure in 2021. Despite the disappointing start to his tenure, he remains confident that he can steer the club back on course.
"What we served up last year wasn't good enough. You get a job for a reason – to improve things," the former Hearts coach asserted. "Sometimes you are hired because things aren't right, and you have to move them in the right direction quickly." He emphasized that Rangers must win their upcoming fixtures, especially a League Cup tie against defending champions St Mirren.
"There is no doubt about it – we should be winning this game. Rangers, at their best, should be victorious, and we have work to do between now and the end of the transfer window, as well as before Sunday’s cup tie," McInnes concluded.
Overall, McInnes' candid assessment highlights a recognition that the current squad lacks the depth, experience, and tactical sharpness required for European competition. The manager's willingness to admit shortcomings and outline a clear need for improvement suggests a potential turning point for Rangers, provided they can recruit the necessary talent and restore confidence within the squad.