Derek McInnes is facing significant pressure at Ibrox after overseeing the worst start for a Rangers manager in recent memory. Following a 1-1 draw against Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday, Rangers were eliminated from the Europa League in the third qualifying round with a 3-2 aggregate defeat. This result marks a winless run of four matches to begin the season, a trend that has left many supporters frustrated, with many departing the stadium before the final whistle.
This time last season, Rangers made a stumbling start under Russell Martin from which he never recovered, with the axe falling in early October. McInnes is now the man who must deliver for an expectant fanbase, but after this latest result, questions regarding his tenure have intensified. The manager acknowledged that the team’s performance, particularly in the second half, was insufficient.
McInnes admitted that while the club is structured for European competition, the current squad is not yet prepared for that level. “The club is built for the Champions League and Europa League, but I don’t think the team is ready for it and it pains me to say it,” he said. He noted that despite investing millions in nine new signings this summer, the team continues to lack the necessary quality and confidence to maintain a consistent 90-minute performance.
The manager expressed his frustration, stating: “Jagiellonia are a decent team with some good players and I think they’re well coached, but Rangers at their best should be winning this.” He believes the current struggles are a continuation of issues from last season, specifically the inability to sustain intensity for an entire match. When asked about the fans booing the team off the pitch, McInnes conceded: “I think it was justified, to be honest. In the four games we’ve had, there’s been some good moments, but it’s not been good enough.”
The Ibrox boss explained his tactical decisions, noting that he replaced Thelo Aasgaard with full-back Ross McCrorie to help his wingers become more involved higher up the pitch. However, former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday criticized the move on Radio Scotland’s Sportsound: “The reasoning makes sense, but it didn’t work, it’s as simple as that. They lost all control without that extra body in midfield. It’s not physical, it’s mental.”
Adding to the club’s woes, PSV winger Driouech was spotted at Ibrox ahead of an expected move to the club, as reported nine hours ago. Simultaneously, the squad is dealing with injury setbacks, with Rangers’ Chermiti out for a ‘significant period’ as confirmed two days ago. These developments complicate McInnes’ efforts to stabilize a team that currently lacks balance.
Halliday expressed deep concern regarding the lack of leadership and persistent issues at right-back, going as far as to suggest that Rangers should bring back 34-year-old former captain James Tavernier, who remains a free agent. “It’s not going to be popular, but the first thing Rangers should do in terms of recruitment is phone James Tavernier tomorrow,” Halliday argued, citing the need for players who can handle the intense scrutiny at Ibrox.
The squad’s struggles are further highlighted by the pressure on new striker Lawrence Shankland. Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson noted the immense weight on Shankland’s shoulders: “It’s the weight of playing for Rangers, the weight of not having the start that he wanted, and the weight of taking a bad touch. At previous clubs, if you take a bad touch and give it away, you might get a few pelters. Here, when Lawrence Shankland’s touch isn’t quite right, the whole stadium reacts.”
McInnes remains adamant that his primary objective is to improve the team’s quality. “That is the job I came into Rangers to do. Rangers finishing third last season, what was served up wasn’t good enough. We have to get more quality and more confidence into the team,” he stated. The manager is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead as he attempts to turn around the club’s fortunes.
The defeat on Thursday means Rangers will now drop into a Conference League play-off against Czech side Jablonec. This transition to a lower-tier European competition is a blow to the club’s ambitions and adds further pressure on the board to support the manager in the final stages of the transfer window. Halliday believes the squad needs at least three more signings to be competitive.
Despite the calls for new arrivals, Halliday maintained that the current group should be performing better. “The current squad that’s available should be enough to beat Dundee United, it should be enough to beat Hibs and, to be honest, it should be enough to beat Jagiellonia,” he said. The sentiment reflects the growing impatience among the support base as the season enters a critical phase.
As McInnes prepares for the upcoming domestic fixtures, the focus will remain on whether he can instill the mental toughness required to succeed at Ibrox. With the Europa League exit confirmed and the squad still in flux, the manager faces a defining period in his career. The upcoming matches will be vital in determining whether he can regain the trust of the supporters and build a cohesive, winning unit.
PSV winger Driouech at Ibrox before expected Rangers move Published 9 hours ago
McInnes thinks it is a continuation of the problems experienced at the end of last season – the inability to deliver a 90-minute performance.
Thursday’s defeat – which drops Rangers into a Conference League play-off against Czechs Jablonec – comes on the back of the nightmare news Youssef Chermiti was ruled out with a long-term knee injury just after Rangers r
We have to get things moving in the right way quickly.
“The only thing I would challenge about that is I thought [Djeidi] Gassama and [Daisuke] Yokota got loads of the ball relatively high up in the first half.
Thursday’s defeat – which drops Rangers into a Conference League play-off against Czechs Jablonec – comes on the back of the nightmare news Youssef Chermiti was ruled out with a long-term knee injury just after Rangers rejected a big-money bid for the 22-year-old.
We are talking about the ability to play under pressure, to not be afraid to make mistakes and try to create a different – that’s James Tavernier.
Spending a fortune and making us much worse.
Jonny: Folk saying McInnes should be sacked need to calm down.
Alex: I foresee another trophyless season ahead for Rangers – no cohesion, no fight, no skill, nothing.
Kevin: Rangers look as a bad as they did under Mark Warburton in the Championship.
In fact, that team would thump this one.
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Get Rangers news notifications in the Sport app Published 18 June 2023
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