Rangers have been eliminated from all European competitions, leaving them five points adrift of league leaders Celtic even before September has fully arrived. The disappointment has intensified the scrutiny on both the playing group and head coach Derek McInnes at Ibrox. McInnes now faces the task of guiding his reshaped squad to Pittodrie on Sunday for a televised clash against his former side Aberdeen on Sky Sports. The central question is whether McInnes can spark a response from a group of players he himself has described as struggling, and what underlying issues are contributing to the club's poor form.
**What has been the reaction?** McInnes publicly expressed that he felt "mortified" and "embarrassed" after the 2-0 loss to Jablonec. The numbers back up his sentiment: the team managed just one shot on target in 120 minutes, were out‑possessed, and appeared bereft of attacking ideas while lacking confidence defensively.
Jablonec, a club that finished fifth in the Czech First League last season, made the defeat look even more shocking. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd labeled the performance an "all‑time low" for Rangers. McInnes accepted full responsibility, admitting his players were "miles short" of the standards required. The reality is that Rangers will not feature in any European group‑stage matches this season—a situation not seen since 2017.
Some supporters will point fingers at the manager, others at the squad, but the truth is that the defeat was a collective shortfall. **Why did the loss happen?** Rangers entered the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first game and a full week to prepare, even securing a postponement of their league fixture against St Mirren. McInnes stuck with the same starting XI for the first time this season, yet at halftime he introduced three changes—a pattern that has recurred throughout the campaign.
The alterations failed to alter the team's trajectory; Rangers never found a foothold, kept changing shape and personnel, and ultimately could not generate a coherent attacking threat. Post‑match, McInnes acknowledged that his side looks uncomfortable on the ball, is ineffective on the counter‑attack, and struggles when forced to play a direct style. Boyd added that the frequency of changes suggests McInnes may have lost trust in certain players, which in turn has eroded their confidence. **How poor is this start compared with recent history?** Every season brings its own challenges, but a quick look at recent managerial records highlights how McInnes’s start stacks up unfavorably.
Russell Martin, who began the previous season, recorded three wins and one loss in his first seven games before being dismissed after ten more fixtures. Danny Rohl, who succeeded Martin in October, posted four wins and three defeats over the same span.
In contrast, McInnes has secured only two victories while suffering three defeats in his first seven matches. **What lies ahead?** The next test is a trip to Aberdeen, a club McInnes knows intimately, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports. The broader issue for Rangers is whether the club should maintain a calm approach or consider a change in direction.
Historically, a string of poor early results can quickly erode patience among the Ibrox faithful. Some fans are already calling for a shake‑up, while others warn that constant managerial turnover—seven permanent bosses in less than five years—is unsustainable and hampers long‑term progress. **Is the problem limited to the manager?** Club chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the American ownership group have publicly committed to "sustained winning and winning sustainably." Yet, at a recent shareholders' meeting, Cavenagh admitted that finishing second—or lower—has begun to infiltrate every corner of the organization. Celtic have dominated the Scottish Premiership for 14 of the last 15 seasons, and Rangers finished third last term, even behind a Hearts side that McInnes himself managed.
Behind the scenes, Ibrox has undergone significant restructuring: a new CEO, revamped recruitment processes, and a fresh managerial appointment. Although Cavenagh confessed the season's start fell short of expectations, he expressed more optimism now than a year ago. This suggests that a period of calm may be the preferred short‑term strategy while the club continues to implement its longer‑term plan.
**Will Rangers continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to continued support. The board authorized a substantial summer spending programme, indicating belief in the manager’s vision.
Chief executive Jim Gillespie, who led the search for a new boss, described McInnes as "the only candidate who ticked all the boxes" when he was poached from Hearts in June. While results are expected to improve promptly, Gillespie has never hidden his conviction that McInnes can restore success to Rangers.
The club has already added twelve new players this summer, with striker Kevin Kelsy likely to arrive next after a £9.2 million deal with the Portland Timbers. McInnes himself noted that the squad looks "young" and "inexperienced," and confirmed that further signings are intended to address those deficiencies.
**Upcoming fixtures and the road to recovery** Rangers have a packed schedule that could aid in turning the tide. After Aberdeen, they travel to Falkirk three days later, then host Motherwell the following Saturday—both matches televised on Sky Sports.
The international break will be brief, after which the Old Firm fixtures loom: a League Cup tie at Ibrox on 13 September, followed by a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week later, both also on Sky Sports. In summary, Rangers face a critical juncture.
The early-season slump has exposed tactical frailties, confidence issues, and perhaps deeper structural challenges. Yet, with significant investment, a refreshed backroom staff, and a manager who has publicly accepted responsibility, there remains a plausible path back to competitiveness. The next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether calm and patience will be rewarded, or whether the club will feel compelled to seek a new direction.