‘I’m mortified with the performance’ – McInnes fumes over Rangers’ European exit | OneFootball

Rangers manager Derek McInnes blasted his team’s embarrassing display in a 1-0 defeat to Jablonec, as the Glasgow side were knocked out of the UEFA Conference League, losing 4-3 on penalties after being level on aggregate at full-time.

Having failed in the Europa League playoffs, the Conference League offered Rangers a final shot at continental football this season.

Pressure is already mounting on the new Rangers boss, who has achieved just two wins in his opening seven games. It is the first time in nine years that the Ibrox side will not feature in proper European competition.

McInnes gave a brutal assessment of his squad’s early exit.

“I’m embarrassed with the performance,” said McInnes.

“I think the only people who represented the club well tonight were my staff and the supporters who all got behind the team, despite watching what wasn’t a good performance by any stretch of the imagination.

“You think you might just get through, but it shouldn’t come down to two boys being in tears for missing penalty kicks.”

Rangers have made 12 signings during this summer’s transfer window, but McInnes is refusing to use the big changes this summer as an excuse.

“I’m not going to sit here and make any excuses whatsoever because it wasn’t good enough. Yes, there’s been a big turnover of players and we look very inexperienced at times, but the responsibility is mine to make sure we’re better than what we served up tonight. We were miles short,” added McInnes.

The Rangers manager alluded to problems with his players’ mentality and desire to compete, suggesting they are not ready for any level of European competition.

“We lacked everything in terms of winning duels, winning second balls, and looking after the ball. We’re not strong enough in the challenges and we don’t win tackles,” fumed the Rangers boss.

“I thought the opposition were better than us and we got what we deserved. If we had won it on penalties, we would have taken it of course, but it would only have covered over the cracks to be honest. I’m mortified with the performance.”