Rangers saw their Europa League journey come to an end as Jagiellonia Bialystok advanced to the play-off round thanks to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox. The Polish outfit progressed on aggregate, with Nik Prelec’s second-half header cancelling out Lawrence Shankland’s early penalty.
The outcome deepens the early struggles of Derek McInnes in the Rangers dugout. The manager remains without a victory after four matches, and his side must now beat Jablonec to keep their European hopes alive in the Conference League.
Rangers bow out as Jagiellonia strike late
Rangers began brightly, with Dujon Sterling and captain Shankland causing problems for the visiting defence. However, Jagiellonia posed a constant threat on the counter, and Jesus Imaz rattled the post with a low drive from 20 yards before forcing a save from Ivor Pandur with a volley.
The hosts broke the deadlock when Daisuke Yokota’s cutback into the six-yard box struck the arm of former Celtic defender Yuki Kobayashi. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, and Shankland dispatched it confidently to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
Jagiellonia responded positively after conceding, with Imaz again testing Pandur and Prelec firing wide while stretching to meet a cross. Rangers held their lead at the interval but struggled to replicate their first-half intensity after the restart.
McInnes under pressure after another setback
At half-time, McInnes reshuffled his team, introducing Ross McCrorie for Thelo Aasgaard and shifting to a back four. McCrorie, deployed at left-back, found it difficult to contain Jagiellonia’s attacking runs down the flank.
The equaliser arrived when Anders Klynge delivered a precise cross, and Prelec powered a header past Pandur at the back post. Rangers struggled to respond, with the tactical change disrupting their rhythm and creativity.
Further substitutions were made in an attempt to reclaim control, but the home side lacked a cutting edge. Substitute Bojan Miovski came close when he met a cross from Findlay Curtis, but his header drifted wide from close range.
Rangers turn attention to Conference League
The defeat adds to the growing concerns surrounding McInnes, who arrived at Ibrox with a strong reputation after nearly guiding Hearts to a shock Scottish title last season. However, he is still searching for his first win as Rangers boss, with the team also winless in their last two Premiership outings.
Supporters made their feelings known at full-time, with boos ringing out from the sparse crowd that remained at Ibrox. Rangers’ European fate now rests on the Conference League, where they must navigate a play-off tie against Jablonec, who advanced past Latvia’s RFS.
Upcoming fixtures for Rangers
Rangers are back in action on Sunday as they face holders St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup last 16, with a 16:00 kick-off at Ibrox.
They then travel to face Jablonec in the first leg of the Conference League play-off next Thursday, hoping to extend their continental campaign.