Rangers’ difficult start under Derek McInnes continued as a 1-1 draw with Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox ended their Europa League campaign, with the Polish side progressing on aggregate.
Lawrence Shankland gave Rangers hope by scoring his first goal for the club from the penalty spot, briefly bringing the tie level at 2-2 overall. However, Nik Prelec’s second-half header restored Jagiellonia’s aggregate advantage and left Rangers unable to produce the response they needed.
The defeat means McInnes remains without a victory after his first four matches in charge. Rangers must now overcome Czech side Jablonec if they are to continue their European season in the Conference League.
The home side started with greater attacking intent, although Jagiellonia repeatedly exposed space in Rangers’ reshaped defence. Jesus Imaz came closest early on when his low effort from around 20 yards struck the inside of the post and travelled across goal.
Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur was also forced into action as the visitors continued to create chances on the break.
The breakthrough came at the other end after Daisuke Yokota delivered a low ball into the penalty area. A VAR review determined that Yuki Kobayashi had handled it while attempting to clear, allowing Shankland to step forward and convert the resulting penalty.
Jagiellonia remained dangerous despite falling behind. Imaz tested Pandur again before Prelec sent another opportunity across goal as Rangers struggled to establish control.
McInnes changed his system at half-time, replacing Thelo Aasgaard with Ross McCrorie and switching from a back three to a four-man defence. The adjustment failed to settle the hosts, and Jagiellonia soon capitalised.
Anders Klynge delivered an accurate cross towards the back post, where Prelec rose above the defence to head past Pandur. McCrorie, operating in an unfamiliar left-back position, was unable to prevent the striker from reaching the ball.
Rangers responded with a series of substitutions, but sustained pressure never arrived. Findlay Curtis created one of their best late opportunities with a dangerous cross for Bojan Miovski, only for the substitute striker to head wide from close range.
McInnes had already been forced to make several changes to his starting line-up, with Tuur Rommens unavailable through injury and striker Youssef Chermiti also missing. Five alterations were made following the weekend defeat by Hibernian, but Rangers again struggled to turn possession and attacking intent into clear chances.
Jagiellonia managed the closing stages comfortably and secured their place in the Europa League play-off round, while Rangers were met by boos from sections of the remaining Ibrox crowd at full-time.
The result adds further pressure on McInnes after two Scottish Premiership matches without a victory and an early European elimination. Rangers’ immediate task is now to recover quickly ahead of their Conference League qualifier against Jablonec.