Rangers face Aberdeen this Sunday seeking their first Scottish Premiership win of the season after a demoralising European exit. The Ibrox side, currently 9th in the table with just one point from two games, were knocked out of the Conference League on penalties by Czech side Jablonec on Thursday night, a result that has left confidence low.
According to a report from the BBC, manager Derek McInnes is still waiting for his first league victory since taking charge. His team's 2-3 goal difference this season reflects their early struggles, and they now sit five points behind arch-rivals Celtic at the top. The squad is also dealing with absences, with José Cifuentes and Youssef Chermiti currently sidelined. You can check the full list of unavailable players on our injuries page.
How will Rangers respond to European disappointment?
The long trip back from the Czech Republic offers little time to prepare for Sunday's early kick-off at 12:00. The nature of the defeat, losing a penalty shootout after a gruelling 120 minutes, is a significant psychological blow. Questions are mounting about McInnes's preferred starting eleven and tactical setup, with the team appearing to lack a clear identity in these opening weeks.
In contrast, Aberdeen will be the fresher side. They were not in action last weekend and secured a solid League Cup win over Dundee. Stephen Robinson's men also started their league campaign with a victory against Hearts. This disparity in preparation time could be a major factor in the match's outcome.
What is the state of the wider Premiership?
The weekend's fixtures see several clubs dealing with contrasting European fortunes. Celtic, who dropped into the Europa League after losing their Champions League play-off to LASK, host Falkirk on Saturday. Captain Callum McGregor was critical of his team's performance, saying they were "passive and looked scared against the Austrian champions." They will face a group including Benfica, Marseille, and Union SG later this autumn.
Hearts are the only Scottish side to progress from their European play-off, providing a positive note. Others like Hibernian and Motherwell suffered painful exits. Hibs lost 3-2 to Gent after conceding two late goals, while Motherwell were thrashed 7-2 on aggregate by Freiburg. Both face tough league tests on Sunday against Dundee and St Mirren respectively.
Where do Rangers go from here?
The immediate focus is squarely on halting their poor start. A home game against 8th-placed Aberdeen, as listed on our fixtures page, is now a critical fixture. Falling further behind the pace so early would heap immense pressure on McInnes. The manager's past connection to Aberdeen, where he was previously boss, adds an extra layer of narrative to this clash.
With the European distraction gone, the league becomes the sole priority. The team must find a way to translate possession into goals and points. Their current league standing of 9th is far below expectations, and improvement is needed quickly. Fans will be looking for a reaction and a performance that suggests the squad can climb the standings in the coming weeks.
