Rangers crash out of Europa League after 3-2 aggregate defeat to Polish side Jagiellonia
Derek McInnes remains without a competitive win after four matches as Rangers manager, following their exit from the Europa League.
Rangers’ abysmal start to the season deepened last night, as they were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox.
The Ibrox side had travelled to Poland last week losing the first leg 2-1, but hopes of overturning the deficit were increased when captain Lawrence Shankland equalised on aggregate from the penalty spot in the 19th minute.
Those hopes faded in the 65th minute when Jagiellonia attacker Nik Prelec deservedly levelled on the night. Rangers struggled to regain control despite changes in formation and personnel, with sustained boos from the home support ringing around the ground at full-time.
The result means Rangers will now face Czech side Jablonec in the Conference League play-off round. It also leaves manager Derek McInnes still waiting for his first competitive victory after four matches in charge since leaving Hearts during the summer.
Rangers fail to build on penalty
Rangers went into the match in a less than ideal state following a poor start to the league campaign and a number of injury problems. Striker Youssef Chermiti is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury in their 2-1 defeat to Hibs at the weekend.
Left-back Tuur Rommens could also miss up to two months with a groin strain, leaving McInnes without cover in the position. The Rangers manager responded to the weekend defeat by Hibernian with five changes and a 3-5-2 formation.
Jagiellonia made the brighter start. Jesus Imaz escaped the Rangers defence in the 14th minute and saw his effort strike the base of the post before he also tested goalkeeper Ivor Pandur with a header moments later.
Rangers were awarded a somewhat soft penalty after Greek referee Vassilis Fotias reviewed a handball against former Celtic centre-half Yuki Kobayashi. Daisuke Yokota’s delivery had struck the defender, and Shankland sent his spot-kick down the middle for his first Rangers goal since moving from Hearts.
The goal briefly lifted the home side, but Jagiellonia continued to pose the greater threat going forward. Pandur produced an excellent save to deny Imaz from the edge of the box, while Prelec slid a Rodrigo Conceicao pass wide from 12 yards.
Jagiellonia take control
Ross McCrorie replaced Thelo Aasgaard at half-time as Rangers switched to a back four, but the tactical adjustment did little to prevent the visitors’ momentum.
Jagiellonia looked more assured of the two sides and eventually found the equaliser. Anders Klynge’s cross picked out Prelec at the back post, where the attacker powered a header beyond Pandur to restore the Polish side’s advantage on aggregate.
McInnes introduced Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic for Dan Neil and Nico Raskin, but Rangers remained disjointed. The home side struggled to create clear opportunities as Jagiellonia continued to appear the more composed and dangerous team.
Rangers pushed forward without much style or strategy. Bojan Miovski headed wide from six yards with two minutes remaining, but goalkeeper Slawomir Abramowicz was rarely seriously troubled.
The fans who stayed until the final whistle made their feelings clear, barracking the team as Rangers’ disappointing Europa Leaguw qualifying campaign came to a shuddering halt before it even truly began.
McInnes admits Rangers were not good enough
Post-match, McInnes acknowledged that his side had failed to produce the level of performance required over the full match.
He said: “In the four games we’ve had, there’s been some good moments, but it’s not been good enough and certainly not a strong enough 90-minute performance.
“It is not great to watch. My team go from some good highs in the first half to being as poor as we were in the second half and you have to say we didn’t do enough.
“We huffed and puffed and even when we threw Fernandez up, we still don’t make the right decisions.
“We should be winning this game. 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.”
Next up for Rangers is the League Cup last 16 tie at Ibrox against St.Mirren on Sunday, with the Buddies smelling blood hoping to pile more pressure on the under fire Rangers manager.