NafisaDerek McInnes has admitted that Rangers would rather be enjoying European football than watching their rivals and other clubs compete on the continental stage, but the Ibrox boss insists his team must concentrate on domestic success rather than become distracted by what is happening elsewhere.
The Rangers manager’s comments arrive at a crucial moment in the Scottish Premiership campaign, with the Light Blues attempting to recover from a disastrous start and establish themselves as genuine title contenders. Their recent improvement had raised hopes around Ibrox, but Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Dundee was another reminder that McInnes still has work to do.
Rangers had looked capable of claiming all three points at Dens Park after recovering from an early setback and moving ahead through Nico Raskin’s spectacular long-range strike. However, a costly individual mistake allowed Dundee to equalise, leaving McInnes frustrated after his side had enjoyed a dominant spell in the second half.
The dropped points have added pressure ahead of Celtic’s meeting with Hearts, with Martin O’Neill and Callum McGregor among the figures preparing for another important test in the title race. Rangers’ failure to beat Dundee has handed their rivals an opportunity to strengthen their position, making the next round of fixtures even more significant.
But McInnes has now revealed another source of frustration for Rangers: watching other teams compete in Europe while his own side is forced to concentrate exclusively on domestic football.
The Gers were eliminated from the Europa League by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, losing 3-2 on aggregate, before a penalty shoot-out defeat to Czech outfit FK Jablonec ended their hopes of reaching the Conference League.
For a club that has enjoyed memorable European nights in recent years, the double disappointment has been difficult to accept. McInnes acknowledged that watching other teams compete on the continental stage brings a degree of envy, although he insists Rangers must now find their motivation in the competitions still available to them.
Speaking in a press conference, the Rangers boss said:
“Whenever you are asked to play, you have to try and win the game.
“We would rather be in Europe, and there’s a bit of envy watching last night, but in the same token, the only real benefit and feel good about yourself is if we can be successful domestically.
“We have longer to prepare, but it doesn’t guarantee us anything.
“I am more focused on the fight to improve and win the game.
“That serves us well and has done so in recent weeks, and that approach is to take small steps, win games and not be obsessed with elsewhere.”
Although McInnes did not specifically accuse Celtic of provoking his envy, his comments underline the frustration of missing out on European football while domestic rivals continue their own campaigns.
For Rangers, the priority is now to ensure that the absence of continental fixtures becomes an opportunity to improve their league position rather than another source of disappointment.
The manager also knows that additional preparation time offers no guarantees. Rangers may have fewer matches to negotiate, but the draw against Dundee demonstrated that tactical improvements and periods of dominance count for little when individual errors prevent the team from securing victories.
That was precisely the frustration at Dens Park. Rangers struggled to impose themselves during parts of the first half, but their performance improved significantly after the interval. Raskin’s outstanding strike put them 2-1 ahead, and the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure that suggested they could go on to claim the win.
Instead, Dan Neil’s costly mistake allowed Callum Jones to restore parity for Dundee. Rangers were unable to recover their earlier momentum, leaving McInnes to reflect on another match in which his team had failed to turn promising passages of play into maximum points.
The result ended Rangers’ seven-game winning run and prevented them from taking the opportunity to move above Celtic. With Hearts preparing to face O’Neill’s side, the outcome of that fixture could have important implications for the developing title race.
McInnes will therefore be watching the domestic picture closely, even as he insists Rangers must focus on their own performances. His message is that the team cannot afford to become obsessed with rival results or European football when there is still so much to achieve at home.
Rangers have won six of their last seven Scottish Premiership matches, including a victory over Celtic, and have worked their way back into contention after their difficult opening to the campaign. That progress offers encouragement, but the latest draw shows that consistency remains essential if they are to maintain their challenge.
The next fixtures will provide another examination of their resilience, beginning with St Johnstone’s visit before a trip to Hearts. A Scottish League Cup clash with Aberdeen will then offer McInnes another opportunity to pursue silverware.
For Celtic, the immediate focus is on Hearts and the chance to make the most of Rangers’ dropped points. For Rangers, the challenge is to respond positively rather than allow frustration over Europe or the Dundee draw to derail their domestic progress.
McInnes has openly acknowledged that he would rather be competing in Europe. But his message to his players and supporters is that Rangers must create their own reasons to feel good about the season.
The manager’s admission of envy provides an insight into the disappointment of missing out on continental football, but the real test will be whether Rangers can turn that frustration into results. With Celtic and Hearts potentially influencing the title picture, McInnes knows his side cannot afford many more nights like the one at Dens Park.
Nafisa
