Derek McInnes clapping Rangers fans at Ibrox and Couhaib Driouech in action for PSV.
Derek McInnes and Couhaib DriouechImago

Couhaib Driouech spotted, Derek McInnes' destructive tweak: Things missed in Rangers vs Jagiellonia

Jacob Raw

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club; Teesside University graduate. FOCUS Long-form opinion and deep-dive content across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Jacob utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, analytical reporting. He provides in-depth opinion and insight to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and into the detail.

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Couhaib Driouech was in attendance for Rangers' aggregate loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday.

Boos echoed around Ibrox at full time as the Bears were unable to overcome a 2-1 deficit, losing 3-2 on aggregate to the Polish side in the third round of Europa League qualification.

Fingers are already being waved in the direction of Derek McInnes, who is yet to win a competitive match since coming back to Govan.

Lawrence Shankland's early penalty gave hope to the Light Blues, but a second half of misery was to follow.

Nik Prelec headed the visitors level in the match, but the goal put the Polish outfit 3-2 to the good on aggregate, and it proved to be the all-important moment.

Despite the obvious issues on the field, there were some other moments that may have been missed from a Rangers perspective.

Derek McInnes' change that started the downfall

McInnes appeared to have gotten his tactics spot on in the first 45, deploying a 3-5-2 formation that gave the Bears much-needed width.

However, as highlighted by Joshua Barrie on X, he reverted to a 4-4-2 after bringing Ross McCrorie on for Thelo Aasgaard, a change that was negative in itself.

This alone veered Rangers off the right track, as they struggled to create anything of note, despite Jagiellonia sitting back.

The Bears looked as exposed as they did on the first game of the season against Dundee United, and McInnes appears to have no solution when playing four in defence.

Couhaib Driouech spotted at Ibrox

Rangers are expecting to make Driouech their next signing, with the winger said to have already completed his medical.

The 24-year-old is understood to be joining the Bears for a fee worth in the region of £7million from PSV, beating the likes of Celta Vigo and Burnley to his signature.

Latest updates suggest that all that's missing is final paperwork which may delay an official announcement, but that hasn't stopped the player from visiting Ibrox.

Images circulated on X showing Driouech, who was spotted in the stands at Ibrox for the Jagiellonia game.

It would be typical Rangers if something went wrong at this stage, though Driouech is expected to sign for the Govan side with no other real hitches in the way.

Let's hope the game didn't put him off joining.

Derek McInnes clapping Rangers fans at Ibrox and Couhaib Driouech in action for PSV.
When Couhaib Driouech will be presented at Rangers after medical reveal

Russell Martin already has one up on McInnes; here's how

Russell Martin's start as Rangers boss has been better than McInnes'.

The former Southampton head coach started the season off with a draw, as McInnes did at Tannadice, but followed that up with another draw in the league, and then helped the club through to the final stage of Champions League qualification.

McInnes couldn't even get Rangers through to the next and final stage of Europa League qualification, even against a Polish side.

The boos at full-time said it all, and the 55-year-old needs to turn things around before the 49ers' hands are forced.

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