Lawrence Shankland has insisted Rangers are not in crisis but has admitted that the club's double European exit represents a new low. The Ibrox captain was part of Derek McInnes' side that were eliminated from the Conference League play-offs on Thursday night by FK Jablonec, following a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Czech Republic.
Rangers had already failed to reach the Europa League group phase before their Conference League exit. McInnes has endured a difficult start as manager and now faces a crucial Premiership clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Shankland's assessment
Shankland is refusing to press the panic button but has confessed that the players are worried by their performances both domestically and in Europe. The 31-year-old says he is embarrassed at failing to secure European football for his boyhood club.
He said: "I wouldn't say it's a crisis. But it's a concern, we know that as a team. For this club to not be in European football, it's an embarrassing moment for us. So it's difficult, we can't hide behind anything. There's nothing to hide behind, the proof is there."
Difficult start
Shankland acknowledged the team's struggles, saying: "It just hasn't been good enough. The players are clearly finding it difficult at the moment. It's been a tough start to the season by all accounts. And going out of Europe, it doesn't get much lower than that moment."
He added: "It's been difficult. We're trying to learn as we go but results aren't coming. Sometimes you get away with it and you get results along the way. But that's not happening for us just now and we're getting punished on all fronts. So it is difficult but we need to keep working hard at it."
