Derek McInnes has openly declared his confidence that he can still guide Rangers back to triumph, even as the pressure mounts after the club’s recent failure to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League. The Ibrox outfit suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec, losing on penalties on Thursday night.
That loss means Rangers will be without any European competition for the first time since 2017, a setback that has intensified scrutiny on the manager and his squad. The setback comes early in the Scottish Premiership campaign, with Rangers already five points adrift of the league leaders after just two matches. Despite the early points deficit and the disappointment of missing out on Europe, McInnes insists that both he and his players have the resolve to reverse the season’s trajectory.
"I'm not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start," he told Sky Sports News, "but we are determined to see this job through and it’s the finish that matters." McInnes emphasized that belief in his own abilities remains strong. "I still believe we’re going to be a success here, but we need to give the supporters a little more encouragement to buy in and get behind us," he said.
He added, "I’d like to think I know what I’m doing as a manager. I’m a good manager, I back myself." This statement underscores his self‑assurance and his expectation that the team can respond positively to the early adversity. The manager also addressed the collective responsibility of the club. "At the minute, none of us are doing our job well enough and it’s up to us to share that responsibility and improve things," McInnes remarked.
He hinted that the players might need a modest boost of morale, while also urging them to work a little harder to achieve the needed results. "I think the players need a wee bit of help and support at the minute, but equally we’ve all got to work that wee bit harder to find that," he added.
Rangers’ next challenge arrives on Sunday, when they travel to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen in a Premiership clash that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. McInnes acknowledged the missed opportunity to reach the group stages of the Conference League, but he stressed the importance of moving forward. "I just feel as though we’ve wasted an opportunity to qualify for the group stages," the 55‑year‑old manager said. "But we can’t dwell on it now, it’s done.
I know football – you have to get ready to go again and we have a huge game on Sunday." He also reflected on Rangers’ historical performance at Pittodrie, noting that the team has not enjoyed a strong record there recently, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to the upcoming fixture. "We’ve not got the best record recently at Pittodrie, so we have to be ready for that one," McInnes warned. Beyond the immediate tactical concerns, McInnes highlighted the broader significance of European competition for Rangers. He pointed out that participation in Europe is not only a financial boon but also a matter of prestige for the club.
"European football is so important for the club, not just from a financial aspect but just from a prestige point of view, so we’re all disappointed and gutted that we’re not competing longer in Europe," he said. Nevertheless, the manager insisted that the club’s primary focus must now shift entirely to domestic matters. "Our full focus is on Aberdeen, the full focus will be on us this season domestically now and I do think we need to be a club that gets back to winning trophies domestically," McInnes affirmed.
He reminded fans that his original mandate when he arrived at Ibrox was to restore domestic success, and he believes concentrating on the Scottish league and cups offers the best route back to silverware. "When I first came in, I said that and maybe just concentrating on us domestically now gives us a better chance of that," he concluded.
In summary, despite the early-season setbacks—a five‑point gap in the league and the loss of European football—Derek McInnes remains resolute. He backs his managerial abilities, calls for increased supporter engagement, and urges his squad to step up their effort. With a crucial league match against Aberdeen looming, the manager’s message is clear: the season is far from over, and the path to redemption lies in regrouping, refocusing, and delivering results on the domestic front.
The upcoming fixtures will test whether his confidence translates into tangible progress for Rangers as they aim to reclaim their status as Scotland’s premier club.