Derek McInnes insists he possesses the ability and self‑belief to steer Rangers back onto a winning trajectory, even as early-season pressures mount following a disappointing exit from European competition. The Ibrox outfit fell to Czech side Jablonec in a penalty shoot‑out during the Conference League play‑off on Thursday night, a result that leaves the club without any continental fixtures for the first time since 2017.
That loss, combined with a sluggish start in the Scottish Premiership – where Rangers sit five points adrift of the league leaders after just two matches – has intensified scrutiny on the manager and his squad. Speaking to Sky Sports News, McInnes acknowledged the challenging opening to his tenure but stressed that a difficult start is not unprecedented for Rangers managers. "I'm not the first Rangers manager to get off to a tough start, but we are determined to follow this job through and it's the end that counts," he said. He added that he still believes the team can achieve success, but emphasized the need to rally the supporters behind the project.
"I still believe we're going to be a success here, but we need to try and give a bit more encouragement to the supporters to buy into and get behind," McInnes explained. The 55‑year‑old manager also expressed confidence in his own capabilities, stating, "I'd like to think I know what I'm doing as a manager. I'm a good manager, I back myself." He admitted that, at the moment, neither he nor his players are performing at the level required, and that collective responsibility must be shared to improve results.
"At the minute, none of us are doing our job well enough and it's up to us to try and share that responsibility to improve things," he remarked. McInnes believes the playing group could benefit from a little extra encouragement and support, but he also warned that everyone must increase their effort to find the missing edge. "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 said.
Rangers' next domestic 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 reflected on the missed opportunity to reach the Conference League group stage, describing the disappointment as a collective feeling within the club. "I just feel as though we've wasted an opportunity to qualify for the group stages," the manager admitted.
However, he cautioned against lingering on the setback, insisting that the focus must shift swiftly to the upcoming match. "But we can't dwell on it now, it's done. I know football, you've got to get ready to go again and obviously a huge game on Sunday for us," he continued.
Acknowledging Rangers' historically mixed record at Aberdeen's Pittodrie stadium, McInnes stressed the importance of preparation and mental readiness. "We've not got the best record recently at Pittodrie, so we have to be ready for that one," he said.
Beyond the immediate disappointment, McInnes highlighted the broader significance of European football for Rangers, noting that the benefits extend beyond finances to encompass prestige and the club's global standing. "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 explained. Nevertheless, he clarified that the club's primary focus now lies on domestic objectives. "But 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 asserted.
He recalled his original promise upon taking the helm, emphasizing that concentrating on domestic success could provide a clearer path 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, Derek McInnes remains steadfast in his conviction that he can guide Rangers back to glory, despite an early-season stumble in Europe and a points deficit in the league. He calls for greater unity between the squad, the coaching staff, and the fan base, urging everyone to share responsibility, increase effort, and maintain belief.
With a crucial league encounter against Aberdeen looming, McInnes aims to convert the disappointment of the European exit into motivation for a domestic resurgence, hoping that a renewed focus on winning trophies at home will ultimately restore Rangers to the top of Scottish football.