Rangers manager Derek McInnes is still looking for his first win after they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying. McInnes made five changes from their Premiership draw with Dundee United and they made the dream start in Poland as Guilherme Montoia’s own goal put them 1-0 up.
But Manny Fernandez returned the favour by turning Kajetan Szmyt’s cross into his own net, and the Jagiellonia midfielder then took advantage of some poor Rangers defending to fire in a second before half-time.
Guilherme Montoia’s own goal gave Rangers an early lead in Poland
McInnes brought on Cammy Devlin, Nico Raskin and Findlay Curtis for the second half. Despite improving the side’s attacking threat, they were unable to convert it into goals.
Kajetan Szmyt made it 2-1 to Jagiellonia Bialystok
Szmyt went close to a hat-trick with a shot straight at Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, then Jesus Imaz missed a brilliant chance to extend the hosts’ lead when he sent his effort wide.
Gers substitute Lawrence Shankland failed to poke home a loose ball to level the match before Curtis’ stoppage-time volley crashed off the post.
Rangers have a lot to do at Ibrox next week. The winners will face Larne or Iberia 99 in the Europa League play-off round, with the losing side dropping into the Conference League play-offs.
The key moments from the Chorten Arena
4: GOAL! Rommens sends in a low cross that is just out of Chermiti’s reach, but it comes off Montoia and goes in.
13: GOAL! Disaster for Rangers as Szmyt’s ball from out wide comes off Fernandez and ends up in the back of the net.
21: GOAL! Szmyt fires in on the rebound after Pandur denies Imaz.
61: CLOSE! Raskin plays a brilliant ball to Curtis, but Curtis can’t get his effort on target.
68: LET OFF FOR RANGERS! Imaz is through but somehow misses the target.
86: BIG CHANCE! Shankland blocks Fernandez’s header from the corner but fails to poke home the loose ball.
90+3: OFF THE POST! Rangers inches away!! Shankland nods the ball back for Devlin but his volley crashes off the woodwork.
Late chances give confidence
Sky Sports’ Alison Conroy:
It was another disappointing result for Rangers in Europe.
Their second-half performance will give them confidence that they can improve at a sell-out Ibrox next week if they can avoid more defensive lapses.
The two goals they conceded were completely avoidable, much to Derek McInnes’ frustration.
Daisuke Yokota made his Rangers debut in Poland
Big players started the game on the bench. Their introduction coincided with a much-improved showing, giving the manager decisions to make ahead of Hibernian in the Premiership on Sunday before their return leg.
New signing Daisuke Yokota was thrown in at the deep end less than 48 hours after joining the Ibrox side and he tried to get involved. Another week of training for him and his fellow summer signings could be very beneficial.
