'Disaster' - Derek McInnes under fire at Rangers after 'huge blow'
Derek McInnes is already facing question marks over his position as Rangers manager, sources have told Football Insider.
Rangers' elimination from all European competitions came as a "disaster" to their plans for the season, following shock defeats against Jagiellonia and Jablonec.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Rangers are expecting McInnes to deliver results sooner rather than later.
Despite an overall feeling that the manager will be given time, tensions are high at Ibrox following last season's third-place finish under Danny Rohl, and results must improve.
Two wins in the league have proved to be a step in the right direction, but have not yet eased the frustrations which grew after their Conference League elimination.
Why are Rangers fans unhappy with Derek McInnes?
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that McInnes is already under fire at Rangers after what has been a turbulent start to the season.
Supporters have voiced their frustrations at Ibrox, and there is a feeling he must prove to the fans that he can get results on a consistent basis.
McInnes confessed he was "mortified" following the defeat to Jablonec, and he now knows that results must improve if he wants to ease the pressure on his position.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "When you're the manager of Rangers, results are vital and you need to be winning, there's no doubt about that.
"Obviously, crashing out of European competition altogether was a disaster for Rangers and losing that game to the Czech side, Jablonek, was a huge blow for Derek McInnes.
"They've bounced back with two wins in the league now against Aberdeen and Falkirk, and it looks like they're starting to get going.
"He's sort of steadied the ship right now with those two wins, and if he can get a couple more wins and put of a bit of a run together, he'll be definitely feeling a lot more settled.
"The fans will be a lot more settled at Ibrox as well in that case, but there is still work to be done if McInnes wants to get them on side, which could be key for him at Rangers."
How has the transfer window impacted McInnes?
Much of Rangers' focus over the last few weeks has been on improving their squad in the transfer window, which has largely deflected from the pressure on McInnes.
During the window, former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that McInnes was "stupid" for demanding backing from the board after a slow start to the season.
The manager's decision to go public with his issue raised tensions and added to the concerns around Ibrox, although it may have played a part in the strong end to the window.
Rangers ultimately completed 14 summer signings, all of which will need to be given time to gel in McInnes' side, raising the question marks over their slow start to the season.
However, there is now optimism that they have strengthened sufficiently to back the manager, meaning the blame for any continued struggles will fall on his head.