Rangers’ European exit exposes McInnes’ squad flaws

Rangers’ European ambitions lie in tatters after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Jablonec ended their hopes of reaching the Conference League group stage. The 4-3 loss on penalties followed a 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic, which saw the Gers crash out on aggregate after a first-leg 1-0 win at Ibrox. For Derek McInnes, the result marks another failure to guide his side into European competition, raising fresh questions over the manager’s summer rebuild and the club’s long-term direction.

Squad depth exposed in Czech Republic

The second leg in Jablonec exposed the same frailties that saw Rangers eliminated from the Europa League by Jagiellonia Bialystok earlier this month. That defeat was followed by a disjointed display in the Czech Republic, where Rangers struggled to impose themselves despite leading the tie. The visitors lacked invention in midfield, with few clear chances created before Vakhtang Tchanturishvili’s 73rd-minute equaliser forced extra time. The Gers’ inability to kill off games, even with a first-leg advantage, underscores a deeper issue: a squad still finding its feet in continental competition.

McInnes’ side have now failed to qualify for European group-stage football for the first time since 2017, a stark contrast to their recent Europa League runs. The visitors offered little protection at the back, with Jablonec’s Jawo repeatedly exploiting space down the flanks. Ivor Pandur’s saves kept the scoreline level before the break, but the Gers’ midfield offered little cover, allowing the hosts to dictate the tempo. The introduction of Lawrence Shankland, Connor Barron, and Findlay Curtis at half-time failed to spark a response, leaving McInnes with few tactical options as the game slipped away.

Penalty woes highlight mental fragility

The shoot-out defeat was sealed by two missed penalties—Findlay Curtis’s effort over the bar and James Penrice’s save denied by Jablonec’s Jan Hanus. The miss by Curtis, a summer arrival, was symptomatic of a team unaccustomed to high-pressure moments in Europe. Rangers’ inability to convert from 12 yards has now cost them two consecutive European campaigns, a pattern that demands urgent attention.

After edging past Jagiellonia in a scrappy first leg, Rangers again showed resilience in the second half to level the tie. Yet the inability to hold their nerve in the shoot-out reflects a broader issue: a squad still adapting to the demands of European football. The missed penalties follow a pattern of late collapses, from the Europa League exit to the Conference League failure, leaving McInnes with little to show for his summer overhaul.

McInnes’ future hangs in the balance

The double European exit places McInnes under unprecedented scrutiny. His side’s inability to progress beyond qualifying rounds—despite heavy investment—suggests systemic issues beyond individual errors. The manager’s future may now hinge on whether Rangers can mount a serious title challenge in the Scottish Premiership, where Celtic and Hearts currently lead the pack. With European football out of reach, the board will demand domestic consistency, but the evidence from these defeats points to deeper structural problems.

Rangers’ recruitment this summer has failed to address the squad’s glaring deficiencies. The lack of creativity in midfield, defensive vulnerabilities, and a shortage of proven finishers have been exposed repeatedly. The club’s failure to qualify for Europe for the first time in nine years is a damning indictment of McInnes’ project, one that now risks unravelling before it has truly begun.

The question for Rangers is no longer about ambition, but survival. Without European football to cushion the financial blow of a poor season, the pressure on McInnes to deliver silverware will intensify. The next few months will determine whether this is a temporary setback or the beginning of a prolonged decline.