Rangers cling to a fragile lead as Ibrox performance raises doubts
By CALUM CROWE, SCOTTISH DEPUTY CHIEF SPORTS WRITER, on 20 August 2026, Rangers held Jablonec to a 1‑0 lead at Ibrox after Ryan Naderi struck five minutes into the second half, a narrow advantage that left the home side still far from convincing.
After taking a step forward with an emphatic victory over St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup last weekend, this was a night when Rangers flirted with the idea of immediately taking two in the opposite direction. The win over St Mirren had raised hopes, but the focus quickly shifted to Europe.
In a UEFA Conference League play‑off tie against Jablonec, Rangers made heavy weather of it – and then some. A solitary goal from Ryan Naderi five minutes into the second half was enough to secure a one‑goal lead as they head to the Czech Republic for next week’s second leg.
European stakes and past failures
Rangers remain far from convincing and no one can be sure that they will have group‑stage football in Europe for the season ahead. The last time Rangers missed the group stage of a European competition was back in 2017 when they lost to Progres Niederkorn. Derek McInnes and his players still have it all to do.
Even against limited opposition, Rangers were not impressive for the most part. They were laborious in possession and largely devoid of creativity. The club is still in the market for two new wingers and a new striker, while manager McInnes has already signed 11 new players, leaving little cohesion or attacking threat.
Key moments and disciplinary drama
Rangers were clinging on towards the end after Cammy Devlin was shown a straight red card barely two minutes after coming off the bench. The high challenge endangered his opponent, and Romanian referee Marian Barbu, after a VAR review, issued the dismissal.
Five minutes into the second half, Dan Neil clipped a ball to the back post where Daisuke Yokota headed it across the face of goal. With the goalkeeper out of position, Ryan Naderi tapped the empty net, breathing new life into the Ibrox crowd.
Later, Naderi whipped a cross to the far post for Djeidi Gassama, whose first‑time volley sailed over the bar. Earlier, Vanja Dragojevic had forced a post‑hit that trickled along the line before the visitors cleared.
Manager McInnes made a double change on 69 minutes, bringing on Devlin and Findlay Curtis. The decision backfired when Devlin, after only a couple of minutes, went in late and high on Jablonec left‑back Jiri Slama, prompting the red card. The bench also featured Lawrence Shankland, who remained unused despite McInnes’ pre‑match confidence, while Dan Neil took the captain’s armband in place of Nico Raskin. The 4‑3‑4 shape that succeeded against St Mirren was retained, yet the performance left the Scottish crowd flat and underwhelmed.