Rangers have now been eliminated from all European competitions, leaving them five points adrift of league leaders Celtic even before September has fully arrived. The disappointment has amplified the scrutiny on both the squad and manager Derek McInnes at Ibrox, and the next challenge comes swiftly: a trip to Pittodrie on Sunday to take on Aberdeen, a former club of McInnes, 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 plaguing the club. **What has been the reaction?** McInnes publicly expressed that he felt "mortified" and "embarrassed" after the 0‑0 draw with Jablonec, a sentiment echoed by many observers. The statistics were stark: only one shot on target in 120 minutes, less possession than the Czech side, and a team that appeared bereft of attacking ideas while lacking confidence defensively.
Jablonec, who finished fifth in the Czech First League last season, managed to expose Rangers’ frailties, prompting Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd to label the performance an "all‑time low" for the Glasgow club. Taking full responsibility, McInnes admitted his players were "miles short" of the standards required for European competition. The reality is that Rangers will not feature in any group‑stage European football this season—a situation not seen since 2017.
Some supporters will point fingers at the manager, others at the playing staff, but the defeat was clearly a collective shortfall. **Why did it go wrong?** Rangers entered the second leg with a 1‑0 advantage from the first match and even secured a postponement of their league fixture against St Mirren to focus on the tie. McInnes stuck with the same starting eleven for the first time this season, yet at halftime he made three changes—a pattern that has emerged repeatedly this campaign.
The half‑time tweaks failed to alter the game’s trajectory, and further adjustments throughout the 120 minutes produced little effect. Post‑match, McInnes confessed that his side does not look comfortable on the ball, struggles to execute an effective counter‑attack, and appears uneasy when forced to play a direct style.
Boyd interpreted the frequent changes as a sign that McInnes lacks trust in certain players, which in turn has eroded their confidence. **How poor has the start truly been?** Every managerial tenure has its own set of challenges, but a quick comparison highlights McInnes’ relatively weak start.
His predecessor, Russell Martin, recorded three wins and one loss in his first seven games before being dismissed after ten more fixtures. Danny Rohl, who took over in October, managed four wins and three defeats over an identical span. By contrast, McInnes has secured only two victories while suffering three losses in his first seven matches, placing him behind both of his immediate predecessors. **Is it time for calm or change?** Historically, a poor start can quickly test the patience of the Ibrox faithful.
Some fans 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 required to rebuild. The broader issue may extend beyond the dugout. Chairman Andrew Cavanagh and the American ownership group have repeatedly stressed a vision of "sustained winning and winning sustainably." Yet at a recent shareholders’ meeting, Cavanagh admitted that repeatedly finishing second—or lower—has begun to permeate the club’s culture. Celtic’s dominance over the past 15 seasons (14 league titles) underscores the urgency for Rangers to close the gap.
Last season, Rangers finished third, behind Hearts, a side managed by McInnes himself, highlighting the competitive pressure. Behind the scenes, Ibrox has undergone significant changes: a new CEO, revamped recruitment strategies, and a fresh managerial appointment. Although Cavanagh confessed that the early‑season results were not what he had hoped for, he expressed a more optimistic outlook than a year ago, suggesting that a period of patience could be warranted. **Will the board continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to continued support.
The club’s recent summer spending spree would be unlikely if the owners had lost faith 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 swiftly, Gillespie has never hidden his belief that McInnes can restore success to Rangers. The transfer window has already seen 12 new signings, with striker Kevin Kelsy poised to join after a £9.2 million deal with the Portland Timbers was agreed.
McInnes himself acknowledged that the current squad appears "young" and "inexperienced," and he confirmed that further signings are being pursued to bolster depth. **What lies ahead on the calendar?** Rangers face a packed schedule as they attempt to rebound. After the Aberdeen clash on Sunday, they travel to Falkirk on Wednesday, then host Motherwell the following Saturday—each fixture televised on Sky Sports. The international break will be brief, followed by two Old Firm encounters: a League Cup tie at Ibrox on September 13 and a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week later, both broadcast live.
In summary, the early season has been turbulent for Rangers and McInnes, but the club’s leadership appears inclined to give the manager time, provided the squad shows tangible improvement. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the team can reverse its fortunes and re‑ignite the ambition of sustained, sustainable winning that the owners have promised.