Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes felt his team “beat themselves” during their 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok in the first leg of the Europa League third-qualifying round tie.
Guilherme Montoia’s own goal had given Rangers an early lead, only for Emmanuel Fernandez to deflect the ball into his own net when trying to block Kajetan Szmyt’s shot.
The goal had initially been credited to Szmyt, but he did get himself on the scoresheet in the 21st minute after an untimely slip in the box from Rangers defender Fernandez.
A mix-up between Dujon Sterling and Fernandez allowed the home side the chance for a third, but Rodrigo Conceicao failed to test Ivor Pandur with his attempt at goal.
McInnes opted to make three changes at the break, with Cameron Devlin, Nicolas Raskin and Findlay Curtis all introduced, and their arrival improved Rangers from there.
Rangers were on top and came close to finding an equaliser late on, but Lawrence Shankland’s effort was smothered before Curtis’ stoppage-time volley rattled the post.
McInnes was pleased with how his team started the match at Chorten Arena, but he conceded that the mistakes Rangers made were punished.
“I just felt we beat ourselves, to be honest,” McInnes told BBC Scotland. I thought we started the game really well with an element of control.
“The team we picked was to make sure that their rotations in midfield weren’t a problem for us – and they weren’t. I thought our three were fine there at times.
“We got off to a good start, a good bit of combination play, being patient with what we were trying to do and putting a bit of stress on our defender to defend the situation.
“And obviously, he scores an own goal and it’s a perfect start. And then we stopped doing what was working for us. We made two mistakes for the two goals.”
Jagiellonia Białystok 2-1 Rangers | #UEL pic.twitter.com/v5ytv9IJ1n
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 6, 2026
Rangers’ result came just six days after opening their Scottish Premiership campaign with a draw at Dundee United, leaving McInnes without a win in his first two competitive games in charge.
They welcome Hibernian to Ibrox Stadium this Sunday, before taking on Jagiellonia in the second leg in Glasgow on August 13.
McInnes understood the pressure was on in the early part of his tenure, but said their defeat in the Europa League was a repeat of the failings Rangers endured under Danny Rohl’s stewardship last season.
“We need to be far more concentrated, far more focused, far more aggressive, far more talkative and organised to stop these types of things happening,” McInnes added.
“We’ve seen a lot tonight of what I thought Rangers were last season. I thought they gave up too many chances and gave teams too much encouragement.
“Having watched them, I knew it would be a tough game, particularly here at home, and they’re a strong side in a strong Polish league.
“But I still expect us to come here and win the game, and we’re disappointed that we haven’t.”
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