Derek McInnes is without a win after two games in charge of Rangers following a 2-1 Europa League third-round qualifier first-leg defeat away to Jagiellonia Bialystok — a result that came just days after a draw at Dundee United in their Scottish Premiership opener.
McInnes, who was appointed with hopes of providing a fresh start after a succession of managers who arrived with promise before departing under criticism, was damning in his post-match assessment. “We’ve seen a lot tonight of what I thought Rangers were last season,” the 55-year-old said after the defeat in Poland. Nine signings have arrived at the club this summer with more expected, yet the problems that plagued last season’s campaign appear to remain.
Rangers were cut open with ease in the opening 45 minutes as Jagiellonia capitalised on repeated lapses in concentration. Twelve minutes in, Thelo Aasgaard attempted an audacious spin on the edge of the hosts’ box, trying to squeeze the ball through a small gap in the defence. Within a minute, Jagiellonia were ahead after an impressive counter-attack.
McInnes pointed to the same defensive vulnerability that undermined Rangers throughout last season. “There’s no bigger drain on confidence for any player, team, support than losing cheap goals,” he said. “There were mistakes for the goals, and I understand that can happen, but we have got to be far more stingy with our work, defend the goal with our lives, don’t give our opponent opportunities.”
The manager was unflinching about where the blame lay. “We’ve got to be honest and say we are guilty of beating ourselves tonight,” McInnes added. “And that’s no disrespect to our opponent because on transitions and counter-attack, it fuels them.” Neither Russell Martin nor Danny Rohl managed to turn things around during their respective spells at the club, and McInnes now faces an immediate test to prove his tenure will be different.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
