Rangers have been eliminated from all European competitions, leaving them five points adrift of league leaders Celtic even before September has fully arrived. The early-season disappointment has intensified the scrutiny on both the playing group and manager Derek McInnes at Ibrox.
McInnes’ next challenge will be a trip to Pittodrie on Sunday, where his revamped side will take on his former club Aberdeen in a fixture broadcast live on Sky Sports. The central question now is whether he can spark a response from a group of players he has openly described as struggling, and what underlying issues are hampering the club’s performance. **How has the team reacted?** Following the 2-1 aggregate loss to Jablonec, McInnes admitted he felt "mortified" and "embarrassed" by the display. The statistics underline his frustration: only a single shot on target in 120 minutes, less possession than the Czech side, and a lack of creativity in attack coupled with a shaky defensive mindset.
Jablonec, a club that 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 outfit. McInnes took full responsibility, acknowledging that his players were "miles short" of the standard 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. Some supporters will point the finger at the manager, others at the squad, but the defeat was undeniably a collective failure. **What went wrong tactically?** Rangers entered the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first encounter and even secured a postponement of their league match against St Mirren to allow a full preparation week.
McInnes stuck with the same starting eleven for the first time this season, signalling confidence in his selections. Yet, by halftime he made three changes—a pattern that has recurred throughout the campaign. The adjustments failed to produce the desired effect; Rangers never found a rhythm, struggled to retain possession, and appeared uncomfortable when forced to play direct or counter‑attack. Post‑match, McInnes confessed that the side lacked comfort on the ball, effectiveness on the break, and confidence when playing a more direct style.
Boyd interpreted the frequent reshuffling as a sign that McInnes “has no trust” in certain players, which in turn erodes their self‑belief. **How poor is the start compared with recent managers?** Every season brings its own challenges, but a quick statistical comparison highlights the difficulty McInnes faces.
Russell Martin, who began last season, recorded three wins and one loss in his first seven games before being dismissed after ten more fixtures. Danny Rohl, who succeeded Martin 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 outings—a record that places him behind both of his immediate predecessors.
**Is a change overdue or is patience required?** Ibrox supporters are known for their passion, and a string of poor results can quickly test their tolerance. Some fans are already calling for a change in direction, while others warn against the perpetual cycle of managerial turnover that has seen seven permanent bosses occupy the Ibrox dugout in less than five years—a clearly unsustainable pattern.
Yet, the problem may extend beyond the manager’s chair. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the American ownership group have repeatedly emphasized a vision of "sustained winning and winning sustainably." At a recent shareholders’ meeting, Cavenagh admitted that repeatedly finishing second—or worse—has begun to permeate every corner of the club. Historically, Celtic have dominated the Scottish Premiership, winning 14 of the last 15 titles.
Rangers, meanwhile, finished third last season, trailing even a Hearts side managed by McInnes himself. In response, the club has undertaken significant off‑field changes: a new chief executive, a revamped recruitment strategy, and a refreshed managerial appointment.
Although Cavenagh conceded that the season’s start fell short of expectations, he expressed greater optimism now than a year ago, suggesting that a period of calm may be the prudent path forward. **Will the board continue to back McInnes?** All signs point to continued support.
The ownership group would not have authorized the considerable summer spending—12 new signings to date—if they lacked confidence in the manager. Chief executive Jim Gillespie, who led the recruitment of McInnes from Hearts in June, described him as the "only one name that ticked all the boxes." While results are expected to improve swiftly, Gillespie has never hidden his belief that McInnes can restore Rangers to the summit of Scottish football.
The transfer window remains active. Kevin Kelsy is poised to join after a £9.2 million deal with the Portland Timbers, adding further depth to a squad that McInnes himself described as "young" and "inexperienced".
He also hinted that additional signings are on the way to address those shortcomings. **What lies ahead on the schedule?** Rangers have a congested run of fixtures that could serve as a catalyst for recovery.
After the Aberdeen clash at Pittodrie, they travel to Falkirk three days later, then host Motherwell at Ibrox the following Saturday. The international break will be brief, after which the Old Firm derby looms: a League Cup tie at Ibrox on September 13, followed by a Premiership showdown at Celtic Park a week later—both televised on Sky Sports. These high‑profile matches will provide McInnes with a clear platform to demonstrate progress and to gauge whether the squad can translate investment into performance.
In summary, Rangers face a pivotal moment. The early European exit has exposed tactical frailties, confidence issues, and perhaps deeper structural challenges. While some fans demand immediate change, the club’s leadership appears inclined to give McInnes time, backed by substantial financial resources and a clear recruitment plan. The coming weeks, packed with crucial fixtures, will reveal whether patience is rewarded or whether a new direction becomes inevitable.