NHL

Rangers Embarrassingly Eliminated from Conference League

August 28, 2026Diego Herrera4 мин

Rangers have been eliminated from all European competitions after a disappointing display against Jablonec, failing to secure a place in the Conference League.

Holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg at Ibrox, Derek McInnes' squad delivered a lackluster performance in the Czech Republic, characterized by a lack of creativity and invention, which ultimately proved costly.

Despite a tactical halftime adjustment and the introduction of captain Lawrence Shankland, Connor Barron, and Findlay Curtis, their play showed little improvement. Jablonec midfielder Vakhtang Chanturishvili deservedly equalized in the 73rd minute with a strike that leveled the aggregate score at 1-1, forcing the match into extra time.

With no further goals in regular or extra time, the tie went to penalties. Although Gers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur saved Filip Zorvan's spot-kick, Curtis missed the target, and Jablonec's goalkeeper Jan Hanus denied James Penrice. Jan Chramosta then converted the decisive penalty for Jablonec.

This defeat is a significant setback for the Glasgow club, who were previously knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok. The team's substantial rebuilding under McInnes is encountering difficulties.

More to follow...

Key Moments from Stadion Strelnice

  • 8': CHANCE! Jawo crossed into the box, but Rangers failed to react, and Suchan sent the subsequent effort wide.
  • 13': WIDE! Jawo received the ball inside the box but inexplicably put it past the post.
  • 20': SAVE! Chukwuani met Penrice's cross with a header, but Hanus made the save.
  • 28': SAVE! Rangers goalkeeper Ivan Pandur punched a cross clear. Jawo regained possession and his header was then saved.
  • 37': CHANCE! Rangers gave Jablonec too much space again, allowing Polidar to take a shot from just inside the box.
  • 49': SAVE! A well-worked Jablonec corner found Suchan at the far post, and Pandur saved.
  • 51': BLOCK! Shankland was in a good position to receive Naderi's cross, but his attempt was blocked.
  • 74': GOAL JABLONEC! Chanturishvili collected a loose ball, turned, and fired past Pandur.
  • 85': CHANCE! Rangers switched off again as Jablonec took a quick free-kick. The ball fell to Nebyla, who shot well off target.
  • 90+2': CORNER! Good defending by Makhanya deflected Chanturishvili's effort out for a corner.
  • 97': CHANCE! Rusek took a shot from distance that flew wide, indicating Jablonec was pushing for a goal.
  • 107': JUST WIDE! Chramosta dragged an effort just wide of the post for the hosts.
  • 117': BIG SAVE! Fernandez was slow to react, but Pandur got down to deny Novak.
  • 119': OVER! Shankland headed Aasgaard's cross towards goal, but it was deflected over the bar.

JABLONEC WIN 4-3 ON PENALTIES!

Rangers' next fixtures...

'Embarrassed' - Woeful Rangers Fail to Qualify for Conference League

Rangers have crashed out of all European competition after a dismal display against Jablonec saw them fail to reach the Conference League.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg at Ibrox last week, Derek McInnes' side turned in a woeful performance in the Czech Republic which lacked creativity and invention, and it proved costly.

A half-time reboot, involving a move to a different shape and the introduction of skipper Lawrence Shankland, Connor Barron and Findlay Curtis, did little to improve their play and Jablonec midfielder Vakhtang Chanturishvili deservedly levelled the tie in the 73rd minute with a drive which took the game to 1-1 on aggregate, and into extra-time.

There were no more goals which brought penalties, and although Gers keeper Ivor Pandur saved from Filip Zorvan, Curtis fired his spot-kick over the bar and James Penrice was thwarted by Jablonec 'keeper Jan Hanus, leaving Jan Chramosta to fire in the decisive kick.

The defeat is a huge blow to the Glasgow side, who were knocked out of the Europa League qualifiers by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok and whose massive rebuild under McInnes is struggling to get off the ground.

More to follow...

The key moments from the Stadion Strelnice

  • 8: CHANCE! Jawo sends a cross into the box, Rangers fail to react but Suchan sends it wide.
  • 13: WIDE! Jawo picks up the ball inside the box but somehow puts it past the post.
  • 20: SAVE! Chukwuani rises to meet Penrice's cross. His header is saved by Hanus.
  • 28: SAVE! Rangers goalkeeper Ivan Pandur punches a cross clear. Jawo wins the ball and his header is then saved.
  • 37: CHANCE! Rangers stand off Jablonec again, allowing Polidar to get a shot away from just inside the box.
  • 49: SAVE! A well-worked corner from Jablonec finds Suchan at the back post. Pandur saves.
  • 51: BLOCK! Shankland is in the right position to meet Naderi's cross, but his effort is blocked.
  • 74: GOAL JABLONEC! Chanturishvili picks up a loose ball, turns and smashes the ball past Pandur.
  • 85: CHANCE! Rangers switch off again as Jablonec take a quick free-kick. It falls to Nebyla, who fires well off target.
  • 90+2: CORNER! Good defending by Makhanya as he sends Chanturishvili's effort past for a corner.
  • 97: CHANCE! Rusek takes aim from distance. It flies wide, but Jablonec are at least having a go!
  • 107: JUST WIDE! Chramosta drags an effort just wide of the post for the hosts.
  • 117: BIG SAVE! Fernandez is slow to react, but Pandur gets down to deny Novak.
  • 119: OVER! Shankland gets his head to Aasgaard's ball into the box, but it's deflected over the bar.

JABLONEC WIN 4-3 ON PENALTIES!

Rangers' next fixtures...