Rangers still short of quality, McInnes concedes after European setback

Rangers manager McInnes has admitted his squad remains short of the quality required, despite heavy spending on new signings this summer. The club has already added nine players, but McInnes said the team is not ready for Champions League or Europa League football. Thursday's defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok means Rangers will now face Czech side Jablonec in a Conference League play-off.

McInnes said the result reflected weaknesses that had already been visible at the end of last season, particularly the team's failure to deliver a full 90-minute performance. He praised the Polish side as a decent, well-coached team, but insisted Rangers should be winning such a tie at their best. He also said the booing from fans was justified after the second-half display, and that while there have been good moments in the four games so far, they have not lasted long enough.

The club's recruitment work continues. Rangers are now looking for a new striker after Youssef Chermiti was ruled out with a long-term knee injury, just after the club had rejected a large bid for the 22-year-old. PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech is expected to become the latest addition. Former Rangers player Andy Halliday argued the squad should not be this unbalanced so late in the transfer window, saying they need three centre-halves, a left-back and two or three wingers. He added that the current group should still be good enough to beat Dundee United, Hibernian and Jagiellonia.

Lawrence Shankland, who was made captain, has yet to make the desired impact. Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson said Shankland is feeling the extra pressure that comes with playing for the club and wearing the armband. Thompson described it as a mental rather than physical burden, pointing out that mistakes are being punished more harshly by supporters.