Rangers Crash Out of Europe on Penalties Against Jablonec

Rangers are out of Europe entirely for the first time since 2017, losing on penalties to Czech side Jablonec in the Europa Conference League play-off round after a wretched display in the second leg.

Derek McInnes' side travelled to the Czech Republic holding a slender 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg at Ibrox, but were unable to protect it as Jablonec fought back to level the tie through Vakhtang Tchanturishvili in the 73rd minute. Neither side could find a winner across the remaining normal time or extra time, sending the tie to penalties.

The shootout proved decisive in Jablonec's favour. Rangers goalkeeper Ivor Pandur saved from Filip Zorvan to give the Scottish side a way back in, but Findlay Curtis fired over and James Penrice was denied by Jan Hanus, leaving Jan Chramosta to convert the decisive spot-kick and send Jablonec through 4-3 on penalties.

The exit means Rangers will be without European group-stage football for the first time in almost a decade, having already been eliminated from Europa League qualifying by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok earlier in the summer. It marks another setback for McInnes as his rebuild at Ibrox struggles to gain traction.