Peh for the Croatian goalkeeper: Just after his arrival, the club recorded the biggest setback in eight years

Rangers secured their first victory under new manager Derek McInnes with a commanding 5-1 win over St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup quarterfinals. The match took place at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, marking a pivotal moment for the club after four consecutive games without a win. A standout performance came from Croatian goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, who made a crucial save during a penalty shootout in the second half, preserving Rangers' lead and earning praise from analysts and teammates alike. The game began strongly for Rangers, with Ryan Naderi scoring in the ninth minute and Vanja Dragojevic adding a second goal just nine minutes later with a stunning strike from 25 meters. St Mirren managed to pull one back in the 30th minute through Chris Mochrie, but Rangers responded swiftly. Djeidi Gassama scored the third goal following an assist from debutant James Penrice, who soon added his own name to the scoresheet with a fourth goal shortly after. A key moment arrived in the second half when St Mirren was awarded a penalty after Emmanuel Fernandez committed a handball. Killian Phillips converted the initial attempt, but referee John Beaton ordered a replay due to an incorrect signal. Pandur, the young Croatian goalkeeper, saved the subsequent spot-kick with a diving stop to his right, ensuring Rangers maintained their three-goal advantage. This intervention proved critical, preventing St Mirren from mounting a comeback and keeping the pressure off Rangers in the closing stages. Rangers completed their dominance with two additional goals, with Lawrence Shankland hitting the crossbar before Ross McCausland netted the fifth goal. Penrice was named man of the match, praised for his energetic debut performance that included both a goal and an assist. Manager McInnes highlighted Penrice's impact, emphasizing his enthusiasm, decision-making, and commitment to the team. Despite this victory, Rangers faced a setback earlier in the week when they were eliminated from European competition. They lost their Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, losing 1-1 in the return leg after a 2-1 defeat in Poland. This marked the worst European campaign for Rangers since the 2017/18 season, when they were knocked out of the Europa League by Luxembourg’s Progrès Niederkorn. The loss means Rangers will not qualify for either the Champions League group stage or the Europa League, ending their hopes of competing in Europe’s top-tier competitions this season. However, there remains a chance for European football in the form of the Conference League, where they face Czech side Jablonec in the play-offs. For Pandur, the result was particularly significant. Having joined Rangers from Hull City this summer, he has already played five official matches, including appearances in the league and European competitions. His move to Glasgow was driven by a desire to compete for trophies and challenge for major honors, which he now appears poised to achieve with his growing influence within the squad. McInnes acknowledged the challenges facing his team, admitting that Rangers are not yet at the level required to compete in European competitions. He emphasized the need for improvement ahead of the upcoming fixtures, including the League Cup quarterfinal against Celtic at Ibrox. The victory over St Mirren provides a much-needed boost for the club, offering hope that the new era under McInnes can deliver success on multiple fronts.