Rangers have been eliminated from all European competition, leaving them five points adrift of leaders Celtic even before September has truly begun. The disappointment has amplified the scrutiny on both the playing group and manager Derek McInnes at Ibrox, and the next test comes swiftly: a trip to Pittodrie on Sunday to take on former club Aberdeen, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The central question is whether McInnes can spark a response from a squad he himself has described as struggling, and what underlying issues are dragging the club down. **What has been the reaction?** McInnes publicly expressed that he was "mortified" and "embarrassed" by the 2‑0 loss to Jablonec. The statistics underline his frustration: only one shot on target in 120 minutes, less possession than a side that finished fifth in the Czech league, an attack that looked bereft of ideas, and a defence lacking confidence.
Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd called the performance an "all‑time low" for Rangers. Taking full responsibility, McInnes admitted his players were "miles short" of the standard required. The reality is stark – Rangers will not feature in any European group stage this season, a situation not seen since 2017. Some supporters will point the finger at the manager, others at the players, but the truth is that the defeat reflects a collective failure.
**Why did it go wrong?** Rangers entered the second leg with a 1‑0 advantage and a clear week to prepare, even requesting a postponement of their league fixture against St Mirren. McInnes stuck with the same starting eleven for the first time this season, yet at half‑time he made three changes – a pattern that has emerged throughout the campaign.
The adjustments failed to produce any tangible improvement; the team never settled into a comfortable rhythm on the ball, struggled to execute effective counters, and looked uneasy when forced to play direct. Boyd suggested that the frequency of changes signals a lack of trust in certain players, which in turn erodes their confidence. The result was a disjointed display that left fans bewildered and angry.
**How poor is this start compared with previous managers?** Every season brings its own challenges, but a quick glance at recent history highlights how McInnes’s record stacks up unfavourably. Russell Martin, who began last season, secured three wins and one loss in his first seven games before being dismissed after ten more matches.
Danny Rohl, who replaced Martin in October, recorded four wins and three defeats over an identical span. In contrast, McInnes has managed just two victories against three defeats in his first seven outings, making his opening tenure the weakest among his immediate predecessors. **What lies ahead on the schedule?** The next fixture is a showdown with Aberdeen at Pittodrie, a club McInnes knows intimately. After that, Rangers travel to Falkirk three days later, then host Motherwell the following Saturday.
The calendar then packs two Old Firm clashes before the international break – a League Cup tie at Ibrox on September 13 and a Premiership meeting at Celtic Park a week later, both televised on Sky Sports. The density of matches offers McInnes a chance to turn the tide quickly, but also leaves little room for error. **Is there a need for calm or change?** When a season begins poorly, sections of the Ibrox faithful can lose patience fast.
Some supporters are already calling for decisive action, while others argue that constant managerial turnover – seven permanent bosses in under five years – is unsustainable and that stability is needed to rebuild. The broader issue may extend beyond the dugout.
Chairman Andrew Cavanagh and the American consortium that now own the club have repeatedly spoken of "sustained winning and winning sustainably." Yet, at a recent shareholders’ meeting, Cavanagh admitted that finishing second – or lower – has begun to permeate every corner of the club. Historically, Celtic have dominated the Scottish Premiership, winning 14 of the last 15 titles. Rangers finished third last season, even behind a Hearts side managed by McInnes himself, highlighting the magnitude of the challenge. Behind the scenes, Ibrox has undergone significant restructuring: a new CEO, revamped recruitment processes, and a fresh managerial appointment.
Cavanagh recently noted that the start to the season is not what he envisioned, but he remains more optimistic now than a year ago. That optimism suggests the board may be willing to grant McInnes time to implement his vision.
**Will the club continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to a continued vote of confidence. The ownership group approved a sizeable summer spending programme, indicating belief in the manager’s project. Chief Executive Jim Gillespie, who oversaw the hiring process, said McInnes was "the only name that ticked all the boxes" when they lured him from Hearts in June. While results are expected to improve promptly, Gillespie has never hidden his conviction that McInnes can restore Rangers to winning ways.
Rangers have already added 12 new players this summer, with striker Kevin Kelsy poised to join after a £9.2 million agreement with Portland Timbers. This recruitment drive was reinforced immediately after the Jablonec defeat, when McInnes acknowledged the squad looked "young" and "inexperienced" and promised further signings to bolster depth. **Looking forward** The good news for Rangers is that they have a packed fixture list, providing multiple opportunities to rebound.
McInnes himself conceded that "huge improvements" are required, but he remains hopeful that a stronger performance against Aberdeen will signal a turning point. Subsequent matches against Falkirk, Motherwell, and the two Old Firm encounters will test the team's resilience and the board’s patience. In summary, Rangers face a critical juncture.
The early European exit has exposed tactical frailties, confidence issues, and perhaps a deeper cultural problem within the club. Whether McInnes can arrest the slide, restore belief among his players, and deliver the results demanded by a demanding fanbase remains to be seen, but the next few weeks will be decisive.