Rangers have been eliminated from all European competition, leaving them five points adrift of league leaders Celtic even before September has fully arrived. The disappointment has amplified the scrutiny on both the playing squad and manager Derek McInnes at Ibrox.
Their next challenge is an away fixture against former club Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The central question now is whether McInnes can spark a response from a group of players he himself has admitted are struggling, and what underlying issues are dragging the club down. **What has been the reaction?** McInnes described his feelings after the 2-0 loss to Jablonec as "mortified" and "embarrassed" – emotions that are hard to dispute when you consider the statistics. The team managed just one shot on target across 120 minutes, were out‑possessed for the entire tie and looked bereft of any clear attacking ideas while appearing shaky at the back.
Their opponents, a Czech side that finished fifth in their domestic league, were simply better organized. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd labeled the performance an "all‑time low" for the Glasgow giants. McInnes accepted full responsibility, stating that his players were "miles short" of the standards required for European football.
The reality is stark: Rangers will not feature in any group‑stage European fixtures this season, a scenario that has not occurred since 2017. Some supporters will point fingers at the manager, others at the players, but the truth is that the defeat was a collective failure.
**Why did it go wrong?** After a 1‑0 win in the first leg, Rangers enjoyed a clear week to prepare. They even asked for their league match against St Mirren to be postponed, and McInnes stuck with the same starting eleven for the first time this season. Yet at halftime he made three changes – a pattern that has recurred throughout the campaign – because the team was not imposing itself and was failing to find a foothold. Throughout the 120 minutes McInnes altered both shape and personnel multiple times, yet none of the tweaks produced the desired effect.
Post‑match, McInnes admitted his side looked uncomfortable on the ball, lacked potency on the counter‑attack and were ineffective when trying to play direct football. Boyd interpreted the frequent changes as a sign that McInnes has "no trust" in certain players, and that those players are currently lacking confidence. **How poor has the start truly been?** Every season brings its own set of challenges, but a quick statistical comparison highlights the seriousness of the situation.
McInnes' record so far does not compare favorably with his recent predecessors. Russell Martin, who began the previous season in the dugout, won three and lost one of his first seven games before being dismissed after another ten fixtures. Danny Rohl, who took over in October, recorded four wins and three defeats over the same span. By contrast, McInnes has secured just two victories while suffering three losses in his first seven matches.
**Is calm the answer, or is change required?** When a campaign gets off to a rough start, sections of the Ibrox fanbase can quickly become impatient. Some supporters are already calling for a shake‑up, 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 underlying issue may extend beyond the man on the touchline. Club chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the U.S. consortium that now own Rangers have publicly stated their ambition is "sustained winning and winning sustainably." Yet at a recent shareholders’ meeting Cavenagh conceded that finishing second – or lower – is beginning to permeate every corner of the club. Over the past 15 seasons Celtic have claimed the league title 14 times, and in the most recent campaign Rangers finished third, behind a Hearts side managed by McInnes himself.
Significant changes have already taken place behind the scenes. A new chief executive, a revamped recruitment strategy and a fresh managerial appointment signal a desire to correct course. Cavenagh recently admitted the season’s start was not what he had hoped for, but he also expressed a more optimistic outlook than he had a year ago.
That optimism suggests a period of patience may be warranted, at least for now. **Will the board continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to continued support. The ownership group would not have authorized the substantial summer spending – twelve new signings to date – if they lacked confidence in the manager.
Chief executive Jim Gillespie, who led the search for a new boss, said McInnes was the "only one name that ticked all the boxes" when he was poached from Hearts in June. While results are expected to improve quickly, Gillespie has never hidden his belief that McInnes can restore success to Rangers. The transfer window remains active.
Kevin Kelsy is poised to join after a £9.2 million deal with the Portland Timbers was agreed, adding further depth to a squad that McInnes himself described as "young" and "inexperienced." He also acknowledged that additional signings are being pursued to address those shortcomings. **What lies ahead on the schedule?** The immediate future is packed with fixtures that could help the team regain confidence. After Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday, Rangers travel to Falkirk on Wednesday, then host Motherwell at Ibrox the following Saturday – all matches broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The international break will be brief, after which the Old Firm clashes loom: a League Cup tie at Ibrox on 13 September and a Premiership encounter at Celtic Park a week later, both televised. In summary, Rangers face a crucial period.
The club’s leadership appears willing to give McInnes time, provided the squad shows tangible improvement. The next handful of games will be decisive in determining whether calm can be restored or whether a more radical change becomes inevitable.