Rangers manager Derek McInnes acknowledged that his team fell short in their Europa League campaign, following a disappointing exit to Jagiellonia Bialystok. After an early penalty from Lawrence Shankland temporarily levelled the aggregate score, a second-half header from Nik Prelec ultimately sent the Polish side through and left Rangers facing a drop to the Conference League playoffs.

This latest defeat confirms Rangers’ elimination from the Europa League, and they will now shift focus to facing FK Jablonec in the Conference League playoffs next week. The news comes from reliable reports on 101 Great Goals.

McInnes reflects on Europa League exit

Speaking to Rangers TV, McInnes expressed disappointment over the team’s performance. He remarked that they did not do enough over the two legs to warrant progression. Despite starting strong, Rangers lost control during the match and failed to secure a vital second goal.

Game-changing moments for Rangers

The pivotal moment came when Rangers were briefly buoyed by Shankland’s penalty, which equalised the aggregate score. However, Prelec’s goal shifted the momentum back to Jagiellonia, highlighting Rangers’ struggles in defence throughout the competition.

Looking ahead to the Conference League

With the Europa League exit confirmed, Rangers now turn their attention to FK Jablonec. McInnes will hope to galvanise his squad to deliver a more resilient performance, as they aim to salvage their European campaign in the upcoming Conference League playoffs.

The SportiveNews view

Rangers’ defeat marks a worrying continuation of their struggles under McInnes, who is still seeking his first win since taking charge. As they prepare for the Conference League, the need for a turnaround in form has never been more pressing. Their European ambitions hang in the balance as they attempt to regroup.

Frequently asked questions

What did McInnes say about the match?

McInnes expressed disappointment at exiting the Europa League and concluded that Rangers hadn’t done enough across both legs to advance. He noted that the second-half performance was not satisfactory.

Who will Rangers face next?

Rangers will play FK Jablonec of the Czech Republic in the Conference League playoffs next week. This match will be crucial for their European ambitions moving forward.

Source: Based on reporting from 101 Great Goals. SportiveNews rewrote and analysed the story independently for football readers.

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