Rangers were eliminated from European competition for the first time in nine years after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Czech side Jablonec in the Conference League playoff round. A 1-0 loss on the night meant extra time and penalties, with Derek McInnes' side failing to progress. The result means no European football at Ibrox this season, leaving Celtic in the Europa League and Hearts in the Conference League as Scotland's representatives.
Pundits react to dismal display
Former Ibrox stars and pundits criticised the performance, which included just one shot on target in 120 minutes. Andy Halliday compared the result to historic lows, saying: "I think of Kaunas, Progres Niederkorn. That's up there with them. Rangers had no style, no desire, no movement, no tackles, no shots, no control. They offered absolutely nothing over 120 minutes."
Steven Thompson noted the lack of leadership: "One shot on target in 120 minutes. That tells a story about Rangers' threat. When players are on the pitch and things aren't going well and they look around them for someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, to lead, there's no answers."
McInnes under pressure
Kris Boyd described the performance as "an all-time low" and said: "Embarrassing. I don't know where this leaves Derek McInnes. Rangers have chopped and changed managers for a number of years now but you've got to say, looking at this performance, there is no connection with the players."
Alan Brazil, speaking on talkSPORT, suggested the club could already be considering a replacement: "They will be talking about Steven Gerrard already. I would suggest [McInnes] has to win the cup game against Celtic, and at least get a draw in the league - or it's see you later." Ray Parlour added: "An absolute disaster for Rangers. I don't know what has gone wrong there. Derek McInnes is really, really under pressure now."
Fans question ownership decisions
Gordon Dalziel, on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, criticised the tactical approach: "After the first 45 minutes, I said that I couldn't believe how bad Rangers were. It didn't improve, he made his three substitutions and one at 60 minutes - it was throwing darts at a dart board." He also noted fan sentiment towards the owners: "Right now, when you look at the owners - the 49ers, who have invested a lot of money into the club, you have to give them credit for that - right now I think the Rangers fans are thinking 'they have made three massive decisions, and the third one with Derek McInnes is becoming a question mark.'"
