Rangers exit Conference League after 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Jablonec
Rangers suffered a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat against Czech club Jablonec at Stadion Strelnice after a 1-1 aggregate draw in the Conference League play-offs.
Match unfolding in the Czech Republic
Rangers exited European competition on Thursday after losing 4-3 on penalties to Czech side Jablonec in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie. Holding a 1-0 aggregate advantage from the first leg at Ibrox courtesy of a Ryan Naderi goal, Derek McInnes's team struggled to generate offense at the Stadion Strelnice. The manager implemented five tactical shape changes and multiple substitutions across the evening, but Rangers registered only one shot on target over the entire match, coming when Tochi Chukwuani saw a close-range header saved. Jablonec created the earlier opportunities through Lamin Jawo before controlling much of the second half. In the 73rd minute, Georgian midfielder Vakhtang Tchanturishvili scored from a tight angle past goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, levelling the tie at 1-1 on aggregate and forcing extra time.
Penalty shootout resolution
Neither team broke the deadlock during the additional 30 minutes, sending the tie to a penalty shootout. Rangers converted their opening three attempts through Lawrence Shankland, Bojan Miovski, and Thelo Aasgaard before Pandur saved an effort from Jablonec midfielder Filip Zorvan. That advantage dissipated when Findlay Curtis sent his shot over the crossbar and defender James Penrice saw his effort stopped by Jablonec goalkeeper Jan Hanus. Veteran forward Jan Chramosta subsequently converted the decisive fifth spot-kick to secure Jablonec's 4-3 shootout victory and eliminate the Scottish club.
- Rangers secure a 1-0 lead at Ibrox through Ryan Naderi
- Derek McInnes makes three substitutions at half-time
- Vakhtang Tchanturishvili scores for Jablonec to level the tie 1-1 on aggregate
- Jan Chramosta converts the winning penalty to seal a 4-3 victory for Jablonec
Post-match reaction
The result leaves Rangers without European group or league stage football beyond August for the first time since 2017, when the club suffered a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Luxembourg's Progres Niederkorn under Pedro Caixinho. Following the match, McInnes spoke critically of the performance, which was watched by just over 900 travelling supporters in north Czech Republic, with fan flags representing towns including Forfar and Dingwall.
First of all, I'm embarrassed with the performance. I think the only people who represented the club well tonight were my staff, the support staff in the preparation.
McInnes addressed the emotional toll on the squad while emphasizing that the team's level fell far short of expectations.
It shouldn't have come down to two boys, James Penrice and Findlay Curtis, in tears for missing a penalty kick. It shouldn't have come down to that.
The manager also stressed that the players must share accountability for failing to deliver in a pivotal fixture.
I'm mortified by the performance. I know you can lose games of football, but we should have enough in the building to take care of that tonight.
Season context and squad changes
The elimination marks Rangers' second European exit of the summer, following an earlier defeat to Polish club Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying. McInnes, who joined Rangers from Hearts in the summer, has overseen a substantial squad turnover with twelve new player arrivals. South Korean winger Minsu Kim completed an 8.5 million pound transfer from Girona shortly before kick-off on Thursday. Domestic form has also started slowly, with Rangers collecting just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership matches through a draw and a defeat. The squad next travels to face Aberdeen in domestic league action.
