Rangers have been eliminated from European competition entirely, 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 their manager, Derek McInnes, at Ibrox. McInnes now faces his first test with a revamped squad as they travel to Pittodrie on Sunday to take on his former side, Aberdeen, a fixture that will be broadcast live 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 causing the club’s poor form. **What has been the reaction?** Following the 2-0 loss to Jablonec, McInnes publicly expressed that he felt "mortified" and "embarrassed" by the performance. The statistics underline his sentiment: Rangers managed only a single shot on target over 120 minutes, were out‑possessed, and appeared bereft of creative ideas in attack while lacking confidence at the back.
The opposition, a Czech side that finished fifth in their domestic league, outplayed them on almost every metric. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd labelled the display an "all‑time low" for the club. McInnes took full responsibility, admitting his players were "miles short" of the standards required for European competition. The reality is stark – Rangers will not feature in any European group stage this season, a situation not seen since 2017.
While some supporters will point fingers at the manager and others at the squad, the defeat was ultimately a collective failure. **Why did the loss happen?** Rangers entered the tie with a clear week to prepare after securing a 1-0 win in the first leg. They even requested a postponement of their league match against St Mirren to focus on the European fixture, and 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 repeatedly during this campaign.
The changes failed to produce the desired effect; the team never found a rhythm, struggled to retain possession, and looked uncomfortable when forced to go direct. After the match, McInnes conceded that his side lacked composure on the ball, were ineffective on the counter‑attack, and appeared uneasy when playing a more direct style. Boyd interpreted the frequent alterations as a sign that McInnes has "no trust" in certain players, which in turn has eroded the players' confidence.
**How poor is this start compared with previous managers?** Every season brings its own set of challenges, but a quick look at recent managerial records paints an unflattering picture for McInnes. Russell Martin, who began the previous season, recorded three wins and one loss in his first seven games before being dismissed after another ten fixtures. Danny Rohl, who replaced Martin in October, managed four wins and three defeats over the same span. In contrast, McInnes has secured only two victories while suffering three losses in his first seven league outings – the worst start among his immediate predecessors.
**What lies ahead?** The next test is a trip to Aberdeen, a club McInnes knows intimately, with the match again shown live on Sky Sports. The result could set the tone for the next few weeks, which are packed with demanding fixtures: a road game at Falkirk three days later, a home clash with Motherwell the following Saturday, and two Old Firm encounters – a League Cup tie at Ibrox on September 13 and a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week after that. **Is it time for calm or change?** Historically, a poor start can quickly erode patience among the Ibrox faithful.
Some supporters are already calling for a change in direction, while others argue that constant managerial turnover – seven permanent bosses in less than five years – is unsustainable and that stability is needed to rebuild. The broader context involves the club’s ownership and strategic objectives.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the U.S. consortium that took control last summer promised "sustained winning and winning sustainably." Yet, at a recent shareholders’ meeting, Cavenagh admitted that finishing second – or lower – was beginning to permeate every corner of the organisation.
Over the past 15 seasons, Celtic have claimed the league title 14 times, and Rangers finished third last season, even behind a Hearts side managed by McInnes himself. Significant off‑field changes have been underway: a new chief executive, revamped recruitment processes, and a fresh managerial appointment. Cavenagh recently conceded that the season’s start was not what he envisioned, but he also expressed a more optimistic outlook than he had a year ago. This suggests that the board may be willing to grant McInnes additional time, provided progress is evident.
**Will Rangers continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to continued support. The club’s summer spending spree – twelve signings to date, with a £9.2 million deal for striker Kevin Kelsy from the Portland Timbers pending – would not have occurred without confidence in the manager.
Chief executive Jim Gillespie, who led the recruitment of McInnes, said the Scottish veteran was "the only one name that ticked all the boxes" when they pursued him from Hearts in June. McInnes himself acknowledges that "huge improvements are needed" and that the squad looks "young" and "inexperienced." He has repeatedly hinted that further signings are on the way to add depth and experience.
The immediate future offers a chance to reverse fortunes quickly, as the team faces a dense schedule of high‑profile matches that could serve as a catalyst for change. In summary, Rangers are at a crossroads. The early-season slump has exposed tactical frailties, confidence issues, and perhaps deeper structural problems within the club.
Whether McInnes can adapt his tactics, restore belief among his players, and deliver results in the coming weeks will determine if the board maintains its faith or seeks a new direction. The next few fixtures – especially the showdown with Aberdeen – will be critical in shaping the narrative for the rest of the season.