Derek McInnes has asked Rangers to be braver as they prepare to turn around a 2-1 deficit against Jagiellonia Bialystok in Thursday's Europa League third qualifying round second leg at Ibrox. After three winless matches to start his spell, the Rangers manager knows this is a night that needs both a result and a lift.
The first leg in Poland ended in a 2-1 defeat, and Rangers have not yet found their footing under McInnes. Their opening three matches this season brought a 1-1 draw at Dundee United, that loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland and a 2-1 home defeat by Hibernian. That is the backdrop to a tie that now feels like an immediate test of belief as much as ability.
McInnes wants more purpose in the final third
The Rangers manager has been clear about what needs to change. He said the team must get more bodies into the box, add more risk to their play and be less safe if they are to put Jagiellonia under proper pressure. His message is simple: Rangers cannot play with the caution of the final minutes for the whole game.
That is a significant point because the tie is still alive. Rangers do not need a miracle, but they do need a sharper attacking edge and more conviction in the moments that matter. McInnes also said the pressure should be on the opposition, not on his own side, which tells you how important the early stages at Ibrox will be.
Why Ibrox matters now
McInnes also made the case for giving the crowd something to feed off. He said the supporters, the players and the club as a whole could all do with a win, and that a strong performance would provide a much-needed dose of confidence. At Ibrox, that connection between the team and the stands could be decisive if Rangers start quickly.
There are also absences to factor in. On Tuesday, Rangers confirmed Youssef Chermiti will be out for a significant period after an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Hibernian. Tuur Rommens has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a groin problem, while Mohamed Diomande has been sold to Turkey's Coram.
Jagiellonia are not without their own issues. They lost 2-0 at home to Widzew Lodz on Sunday, while Yuki Kobayashi and Taras Romanczuk are both unavailable and Aziel Jackson has departed on loan to Minnesota United. Even so, Adrian Siemieniec's side carry a narrow advantage and will arrive knowing a disciplined away performance can finish the job.
For Rangers, the task is straightforward even if the stakes are high. They must be more aggressive, more committed in the box and more willing to take control of the tie from the start. If they do that, Ibrox can still become the kind of stage that turns a difficult European night into a turning point.
