Rangers exit Conference League after 4‑3 shoot‑out defeat to Jablonec
Rangers were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League playoffs after a 4‑3 penalty shoot‑out loss to Czech side Jablonec, following a 1‑1 aggregate draw.
Rangers’ European campaign came to an abrupt end on Thursday as they fell 4‑3 in a penalty shoot‑out to Czech club Jablonec after the tie finished 1‑1 on aggregate. The decisive spot‑kick drama unfolded at Stadion Strelnice, where the Scottish side could not recover from a lacklustre display.
Having entered the second leg with a 1‑0 advantage from the first‑leg win at Ibrox, Rangers were undone by a 1‑0 defeat on the night. Their performance was described as turgid and bereft of creativity, allowing Jablonec to level the tie after extra time and force the penalties.
The shoot‑out saw Jablonec’s Jan Hanus save a spot‑kick from James Penrice, while Rangers’ Curtis missed his effort over the bar. Jan Chramosta stepped up to fire the decisive kick, sealing a 4‑3 victory for the visitors. In post‑match comments, manager Derek McInnes called the display embarrassing and said he was mortified by the performance, refusing to make excuses.
The loss follows a recent Europa League qualifier exit at the hands of Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, leaving the club’s extensive rebuild under McInnes without any European football in August. Meanwhile, Brighton secured their place in the Conference League group stage with a 4‑0 win over Tromsø, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of British clubs in the competition.
