Derek McInnes holding his thumb up in the direction of Dan Neil, who is in action for Rangers at Ibrox.

Derek McInnes and Dan NeilImago/ Manh Tung

Rangers player ratings vs Jablonec: Dan Neil lets Derek McInnes down again, teammate miles better

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.

Published on:

27 Aug 2026, 6:44 pm

Rangers have fallen to an embarrassing defeat against Jablonec, failing to earn qualification into the Europa Conference League.

A 1-0 result over 120 minutes against the Czechia side at the Stadion Strelnice on Thursday meant the aggregate result lied at 1-1, as a penalty shootout decided the Bears' fate.

The Gers had several shaky moments at the back early on, where Ivor Pandur was forced into making some fine stops, but he was unable to prevent another disastrous outcome.

Derek McInnes' side struggled to get going, and were shockingly dominated in possession for large parts of the contest.

After no clear-cut chances for either side in extra time, the Light Blues were dragged into a shootout, where McInnes' men failed to hold their nerves, losing 4-3.

Rangers had several shocking performers against Jablonec, and some could face the axe in the weeks to come.

Dan Neil made Derek McInnes look foolish

McInnes started and selected Dan Neil as his captain once again, only for him to hook the midfielder at the break.

It must be the first time in a long time that a Rangers skipper has been hooked after 45 minutes, purely because they were having no positive impact on a game.

Neil was, as seen so far, negative in possession, proving why the Ibrox faithful are already growing tired of the former Sunderland man.

He made just two passes into the final third, which sums up current frustrations about the 24-year-old.

Connor Barron replaced him at the break and looked brighter in the second 45, and can not be blamed for the game.

Neil, on the other hand, could do with some time on the bench for Rangers.

Findlay Curtis' penalty doesn't define performance vs Jablonec

Findlay Curtis was also another player that McInnes brought on at the break, and it's hard to argue he shouldn't have started from the off.

The 19-year-old completed 50 per cent of his attempted dribbles, put four crosses into the box, and won a whopping nine ground duels, while only misplacing six passes.

But it's the attitude of how he went about his performance one entering the field, constantly getting his head up and looking to make things happen.

It feels like Rangers have too many players who are too hesitant in the final third at the minute, and McInnes could single-handedly save his own job by beginning to give Curtis the chances he deserves.

Yes, he blazed his penalty over the bar, but it takes some guts for a teenager to step up in the first place, and responsibility should not be on him.

Curtis is fearless, and he's the type of character that Rangers need crave now.

Findlay Curtis and John Souttar among Rangers winners and losers of summer transfer window so far