Derek McInnes' winless run as Rangers boss continued as the club crashed out of Europa League qualifying with a 1-1 draw at home to Jagiellonia Bialystok, sealing a 3-2 aggregate defeat. Lawrence Shankland's first-half penalty cancelled out the Poles' lead from last week's 2-1 first-leg defeat, but Nik Prelec's second-half equaliser sent Bialystok into the play-off round.
Pressure mounts on McInnes
The result leaves Rangers facing the prospect of Conference League football for the first time in their history, if they can see off Jablonec in the playoff. Pressure is building on McInnes early in his tenure as home fans unleashed at full-time.
Global media reaction
Poland's Sporto Wefakty reported: "Rangers were silenced. The only thing that was heard was anger. The hosts were initially a bit stunned, as Jagiellonia tried to play their own game in Glasgow and had the early advantage. But one run from Daisuke Yokota was enough, and Yuki Kobayashi accidentally handled the ball in the penalty area. Referee Vassilios Fotias went to the monitor and, after a video review, awarded a penalty to Rangers, and moments later Lawrence Shankland scored to make it 1-0. However, they didn't follow through and allowed Jagiellonia to take over after the break. One play was enough and the game was over. Rangers never recovered from that."
ESPN described McInnes' tenure as "in disarray" after the defeat, noting: "Rangers lost 2-1 in the first leg in Poland last week but there was optimism when captain Lawrence Shankland levelled the tie on aggregate with a penalty on 19 minutes. However, in the 65th minute the visitors deservedly equalised on the night through attacker Nik Prelec and the disjointed home side could not get a foothold in the game again despite changes in formation and personnel. Boos rang out around the ground at full-time with fans frustrated at the calamitous start to the season."
Fans and players react
Interia (Poland) noted: "The Glasgow team was teetering on the brink of collapse after the goal. Time was now on Jagiellonia's side. The Białystok fans almost completely dominated the stands with their cheering for the locals. The conceded goal devastated the hosts. Desperate attempts to score a second goal proved fruitless and leaves the new manager on the brink after boos from fans."
Voetbal Primeur (Netherlands) reported that PSV forward Couhaib Driouech was spotted in the stands at Ibrox, saying: "Driouech is a spectator at his future club's Europa League match. He may have second thoughts after the surprise defeat to end their Europa League chance."
Sport (Poland) quoted Jagiellonia coach Adrian Siemieniec's pre-match press conference: "We didn't come here to survive. We came here to win and advance." The outlet added: "And the opening minutes of the match showed that he meant what he said. After Jagiellonia's goal, the match turned into a battle. The hosts tried to physically dominate their opponent, but again they failed. Jagiellonia refused to be confined to their own half, but continued to try to strike back at the increasingly furious Rangers."
So Foot (France) called it "the surprise of the evening" and noted Rangers "suffer catastrophe but have been given a bye into the Europa League Conference play-offs." Meczyki (Poland) concluded: "Jagiellonia Białystok will play at least in the league stage of the Conference League. The Pride of Podlasie advanced to the fourth round of the Europa League qualifying thanks to a 1-1 draw with Rangers. Rangers huffed in the second half but did little to worry the victors."
