Have expensively-assembled Rangers improved under McInnes?
No — on current evidence, expensively-assembled Rangers have not improved under Derek McInnes. Their UEFA Conference League campaign ended on Thursday with a 1-0 defeat at Jablonec, 1-1 on aggregate and a 4-3 penalty shootout loss, leaving the Glasgow club without European group-stage football for the first time since 2017 despite holding a first-leg lead.
The result capped a miserable August for McInnes, appointed in June with a full pre-season behind him. Rangers had already been knocked out of Europa League qualifying by Jagiellonia Białystok. Now a Czech side whose record signing cost roughly £700,000 — and whose annual turnover is about £8.5m against Rangers' £94m — eliminated them from continental competition entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Rangers lost 1-0 at Jablonec on 27 August 2026, went out 4-3 on penalties, and will play domestic football only this season.
- McInnes said he was "mortified" and "embarrassed" by the performance, calling his side "miles short" despite leading 1-0 from the first leg at Ibrox.
- Six of McInnes' signings started, with players on the pitch costing around £30m in fees — yet Rangers managed one shot on target and one goal across 210 minutes in the tie.
- McInnes made 11 half-time substitutions across seven games, suggesting persistent uncertainty over shape, identity and personnel.
- Rangers face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday, with fan fury rising after what BBC Scotland described as an exit of "Pedro-Caixinha-in-the-bushes level embarrassment."
What went wrong in the UEFA Conference League play-off?
Leading from the first leg, Rangers produced what Sky Sports called a "woeful" performance at Stadion Strelnice. Jablonec midfielder Vakhtang Chanturishvili levelled on aggregate in the 73rd minute with a low drive past keeper Ivor Pandur.
McInnes changed formation again at half-time, bringing on Lawrence Shankland, Connor Barron and Findlay Curtis. It made little difference. Extra time passed without a winner, and penalties decided it: Pandur saved from Filip Zorvan, but Findlay Curtis fired over and James Penrice was denied by Jan Hanus before Jan Chramosta scored the decisive kick.
The BBC reported Rangers had one shot on target across the entire tie and just one goal in 210 minutes. Fans in the away end made their anger clear at full time.
Have Rangers improved under Derek McInnes?
The sources point to no clear progress. BBC Scotland's chief sports writer noted McInnes had a week off to prepare for Jablonec yet delivered "their worst effort of this, and many other, seasons." The manager himself said Rangers are "no' great" in possession, not effective enough on the counter, and unsure when playing direct.
Eleven half-time changes in seven games underline a team still searching for identity. Six McInnes signings started against Jablonec, with two more used from the bench — yet he repeatedly questioned his players' desire and experience. Midfielder Nico Raskin, who performed well at the World Cup, was left at home despite no confirmed bid, a decision McInnes conceded was odd.
Meanwhile, McInnes' former club Hearts — with four new starters against Rapid Vienna — won their own Conference League tie under Wouter Vrancken. Jablonec, with far fewer resources, outworked Rangers on energy and character. As BBC Sport reported, hard work requires no talent — and Rangers were trounced on that measure.
Where does McInnes go from here?
McInnes said he took responsibility but insisted his squad must be better. Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd questioned whether there is "any connection" or "zero trust" between manager and players, adding he did not know "where this leaves Derek McInnes now."
The BBC noted McInnes is not immediately under threat of losing his job, but has "huge amounts of ground to make up with the fans." Rangers have spent heavily — including an £8.5m winger in Kim Min-su and a potential £9.5m move for striker Kevin Kelsy — while results and performances lag.
Domestic focus now shifts to Aberdeen on Sunday. For broader context on how major clubs navigate high-stakes rebuilds, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage hub. European nights at Ibrox, however, are over until next season.