After a 1-0 loss to Jagellonia Bialystok in the Europa League qualifiers, Rangers’ new manager Derek McInnes admits the squad is still missing the quality and confidence needed for continental competitions. Despite spending on nine new summer signings, he says the club is built for the Champions and Europa Leagues but the team is not ready. “We need more quality and confidence,” he told reporters, noting the club finished third last season and “what was served up wasn’t good enough.” He attributes the defeat to the team’s inability to sustain a 90‑minute performance, echoing criticism that Rangers often “go from good highs in the first half to poor second halves.” The loss drops Rangers into a Conference League play‑off against Triple Jablonec and follows the news that Youssef Chermiti will miss a long spell with a knee injury after a rejected bid. McInnes is now targeting a new striker and additional wingers, with PSV winger Couhaib Driouech set to arrive.

Players like Lawrence Shankland feel the pressure of captaincy, while former striker Steven Thompson warns the mental burden of the role. The club must balance its squad before the next fixtures.