Rangers 1-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok (2-3 on aggregate): Derek McInnes' side out of Europa League qualifying

14.08.2026, 02:35 skysports.com

Derek McInnes' winless start to life at Rangers hit its lowest point as they were embarrassed and dumped out of the Europa League to a chorus of boos by Jagiellonia Bialystok on aggregate following a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

Nik Prelec, who scored once in 24 appearances for then-Championship side Oxford last season, nodded Rangers down into the Conference League 10 minutes into the second half as McInnes' slow start on his return to Glasgow was extended to a fourth game with a 3-2 defeat over two legs.

McInnes admitted his side had deserved the catcalls of their own fans as they attempted to thank them for the attendance after the game - and suggested his squad is not ready for the rigours of Europa League football.

"I think it was justified to be honest," he said. "It wasn't good enough. What we served up, particularly second half, wasn't good enough.

"I've got to be honest with you, I've got to own it. I felt we had to make the game open and it was a bit too open at times in the first half and obviously Gassama and Yakota playing as effectively wing backs, we were asking a lot of them at times.

"The club is built for Europa League and Champions League but I'm not sure the team is quite ready for it, and that pains me to say it. We need more quality and confidence into the team."

The hosts had cancelled out their Polish visitors' first-leg lead inside the opening 20 minutes when former Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi was penalised by VAR for a handball inside his own box, with Lawrence Shankland's debut goal since his summer move from Hearts bringing Rangers level from the spot.

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McInnes's side had more chances to add to their early lead on the night when Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide, while Ryan Naderi also went close before the interval.

But a limp second-half showing was duly punished by Prelec and despite huffing and puffing, the hosts never did enough to test goalkeeper Slawomir Abramowicz after the break, leaving McInnes and his side to take in jeers from around the ground as their Europa League campaign fell at the first hurdle - their earliest exit from the competition since 2017.

Rangers will now drop into the Conference League play-off round, and will face Jablonec, who finished fifth in the Czech top flight last season, for a place in the league phase. The first leg will be played at Ibrox on August 20.

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