Derek McInnes insists he can still deliver success at Ibrox after Rangers’ European exit

Rangers’ latest European campaign ended the way several of their recent attempts have, with the margins going against them. In the Conference League playoffs, the club was beaten by Czech side Jablonec on penalties, a second straight exit from European competition under Derek McInnes that has sharpened scrutiny on the team’s direction as the season moves on.

McInnes acknowledged the gap between where Rangers are and what he believes they need to become. Speaking after the elimination, the manager said Rangers are “a long way away” from the standards he wants to set at Ibrox. At the same time, he backed himself to deliver progress, framing the setback as evidence of work still required rather than a verdict on his approach.

For Rangers, European exits are not just results, they are also a test of squad construction and game management, particularly in two-legged knockout formats where fine tactical details can decide who advances. A playoff defeat on penalties underscores how close the ties can become, even when the underlying performance does not fully align with expectations. The decision to settle the outcome via a shootout also highlights the thin line between control and chaos in matches that can feel evenly matched over 90 minutes.

McInnes’ comments point to a wider challenge. Rangers, as a club used to competing deep into continental tournaments, are judged both on style and on outcomes. The statement that the team is not yet where it needs to be suggests he believes there are gaps in consistency, execution, and perhaps squad readiness. That matters because it shapes how the club is likely to evaluate the remainder of the season, including how it plans to respond when the next decisive match arrives.

This was not the first time Rangers have struggled to extend their European run. The reported context from McInnes’ tenure includes what is described as a second European exit this season, meaning the elimination by Jablonec did not come in isolation. Each additional round where the club falls short increases pressure on the manager and raises questions among supporters about what changes are coming next, from selection decisions to the way games are prepared for when the score is tight.

What to watch next is how McInnes balances realism with insistence on his ability to turn the project. The manager’s confidence could stabilize the dressing room, but the club will still need to show tangible improvement domestically and in future European fixtures, especially if Rangers expect to reverse what they have not been able to accomplish so far. The next match will not settle long-term debates, but it will test whether the “long way away” assessment is paired with a noticeable shift in performance.