Rangers in 'absolute shambles' as Derek McInnes blows it for Scottish football
Rangers damaged their prospects with a poor start to the season under Derek McInnes.
The Gers have found their feet in recent weeks, but the Scottish manager faced immense pressure in the opening weeks of his tenure in G51.
After losing to Jagiellonia Bialystok and Jablonec, the Light Blues were knocked out of the Europa League and the Conference League.
McInnes is now tasked with winning silverware in domestic competitions at Ibrox.
In the Scottish Premiership, the Govan side are on Celtic's tail and have established themselves as the favourites after two emphatic Old Firm derby victories.
McInnes will have a chance to lift a trophy at Hampden Park before the turn of the year if the Glaswegian outfit can get past Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
Why Rangers will be disappointed after early European exit
McInnes still has a lot of work to do at Rangers, and the 3-1 win against Kilmarnock highlighted some defensive frailties.
The Gers are on a seven-game unbeaten run, and while spirits will be high, fans in G51 have been deprived of European football, while Celtic and Hearts supporters get to watch their teams in mid-week action.
Keith Jackson believes Scottish football has suffered due to the Govan side's exclusion from any European competition.
The Daily Record journalist also thinks that while the Light Blues' exclusion is an advantage for them in domestic competitions, McInnes certainly wouldn't want to admit that publicly.
"It's a real bitter blow for Rangers. But I think for Scottish football, we just want our teams to get into these group stages and to compete. And Rangers have blown it here," Jackson said.
Speaking on Hotline Live on 14 October, he added, "Look at the teams that are involved in that Europa League, look at the quality that's around.
"Celtic should be striving with everything they've got to compete at that level and show that they're still a club with big ambitions in the European stage. For Rangers not to be involved in anything is an absolute shambles."
Why no European football could be hindrance in January
Rangers probably don't need to do much in the winter transfer window, but they could be forced into doing something.
The lack of European football at Ibrox might make the likes of Nicolas Raskin reconsider their future at the Gers.
It wouldn't be surprising to see a Europa League team tempt the Belgium international away from the Light Blues mid-season.
Had McInnes qualified for the league phase of either competition, it would surely have been more exciting for fans and players alike.
What the Scottish manager now needs to ensure is that the Govan side make the most of a relatively easier schedule than their Old Firm rivals and go on to win the league title.