McInnes accepts blame as Rangers suffer early European elimination
Rangers manager Derek McInnes said he is 'embarrassed' after his side lost on penalties to Jablonec in the Conference League play-off, exiting Europe entirely. The Scottish club managed just one shot on target over 120 minutes and lost the shootout 4-3. McInnes took full responsibility, citing a lack of individual battles and a young, inexperienced squad.
Rangers managed just one shot on target across the full 120 minutes in the Czech Republic, while winning fewer than 70% of their 16 tackles and committing 17 fouls. The club had entered the tie with a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Ibrox, but the shootout collapse followed a pattern of early-season struggles, including a Europa League exit to Jagiellonia Bialystok and a mixed start in the Premiership. McInnes noted no bid has arrived for absent midfielder Nico Raskin, and the squad’s heavy turnover left a young lineup exposed.
The defeat marks Rangers’ earliest exit from European competition since a 2017 aggregate loss to Progres Niederkorn. McInnes praised his staff and traveling supporters as the only ones who represented the club well, while acknowledging the result would have merely masked deeper issues had penalties gone their way. The manager confirmed the team had prepared for a week but still lacked control, duels, and momentum throughout the match.
This result could intensify scrutiny on Rangers’ leadership and recruitment strategy, affecting fan confidence and season-ticket momentum. The club’s early European exit may also impact player morale and transfer negotiations, as potential signings weigh a diminished competitive calendar. For Scottish football, it reinforces concerns about the gap between domestic expectations and continental performance, potentially influencing sponsorship interest and the league’s coefficient ranking.