European qualifiers: Rangers beaten by Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, Hearts thrashed by Benfica
Updated 06/08/2026 at 22:21 GMT+1
React to this story
Derek McInnes questioned Rangers’ concentration after the Glasgow outfit lost 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday.
Rangers 'shoot themselves in the foot' with 'slapstick' defending
Video credit: TNT Sports
Despite Rangers taking an early lead courtesy of Guilherme Montoia’s own-goal, Kajetan Szmyt replied with a first-half brace to give Jagiellonia Bialystok a goal advantage ahead of the second leg at Ibrox on August 13.
"I just felt we beat ourselves, to be honest,” Gers boss McInnes conceded. "I thought we started the game really well with an element of control. The team we picked was to make sure that their rotations in midfield weren't a problem for us - and they weren't.
"We made two mistakes for the two goals. We need to be far more concentrated, far more focused, far more aggressive, far more talkative and organised to stop these types of things happening.
"We've seen a lot tonight of what I thought Rangers were last season. I thought they gave up too many chances and gave teams too much encouragement.
"Having watched them, I knew it would be a tough game, particularly here at home and they're a strong side in a strong Polish league, but I still expect us to come here and win the game, and we're disappointed that we haven't."
Elsewhere, Hearts were thrashed 6-1 by Benfica in Lisbon, extending Wouter Vrancken's side's losing run to four matches at the start of the campaign.
Rafa Silva, Tomas Araujo, Vangelis Pavlidis, Gianluca Prestianni, Jhon Duran and Andreas Schjelderup scored for Benfica, while Tom Renaud grabbed Hearts' second-half consolation.
In the UEFA Conference League qualification, former Norwich striker Teemu Pukki lashed home a leveller as HJK Helsinki claimed a 1-1 draw with Motherwell. Moreover, Hibernian edged past Shkendija 2-1 courtesy of a 90th minute Warren O'Hora winner.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for the Irish teams as Ajax beat Shelbourne 3-1 and Bohemians lost 2-0 to Midtjylland.
- Leeds announce signing of Man City goalkeeper Trafford
- 'Conditions have not been met’ - UEFA maintains FIFA boycott despite board backing Infantino
UEFA Europa League third qualifying round results
First leg
KuPS 1-1 Universitatea Craiova
Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 CSKA Sofia
Hradec Kralove 0-1 Besiktas
Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 Rangers
Lech Poznan 1-0 KI
Lincoln Red Imps 1-1 Omonio Nicosia
Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 Pafos
PAOK 0-1 Anderlecht
Thun 3-0 Vikingur Reykjavik
Benfica 6-1 Hearts
Watch and stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement