Rangers' feeble European exit was no surprise and Derek McInnes is now battling to save his job, says Scott Allan. The Ibrox club will not play European football beyond August for the first time in nine years after crashing on penalties to Jablonec following a 1-0 second-leg defeat in the Czech Republic. "I think he's in a really precarious position now in how he tries to turn this around," said former Premiership midfielder Allan on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.
Rangers were so flat in the Czech Republic, meandering about like confused men, showing weakness in the tackle and not a scintilla of wit. Derek McInnes changed the shape of his team four or five times and the poverty of their play didn't improve one iota. "I look at us now and I'm thinking, well, we're no' great as a possession-based team at the minute," said McInnes in explaining his constant switches.
Pride, prestige and plenty of cash are on the line for Rangers tonight as they bid to join Hearts in the Conference League proper. Derek McInnes' side have little room for error with a slender 1-0 lead over Jablonec in the play-off second leg in the Czech Republic. Rangers are in the last chance saloon for European football this season - so what would the reaction be if they exit?
Goalkeeper Ivor Pandur has urged Rangers to leave nothing to chance in the Czech Republic as he looks to fulfil his ambition of playing European football. The Croat, who moved to Ibrox from Hull this summer, has only experienced qualifiers in his career but stands on the brink of the Conference League proper as Rangers take a 1-0 first-leg lead to Jablonec.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
