Derek McInnes continues his quest for a maiden win at the helm of Rangers after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 triumph at Ibrox, courtesy of an injury‑time strike. The match began with a palpable sense of unease for the home side, and the visitors took the lead early when Josh Campbell converted a 12th‑minute penalty.
The spot‑kick was awarded after VAR intervened following a foul by Vanja Dragojević on Jason Kerr, prompting the referee to review the incident on the big screen before pointing to the spot. Rangers, who dominated possession and unleashed a staggering 25 attempts on goal, finally found the back of the net in the 85th minute. A low cross from Djeidi Gassama was inadvertently turned into his own net by Hibs defender Miguel Chaiwa, leveling the score at 1-1 and reigniting hope among the Rangers faithful.
However, the drama was far from over. In the dying moments of the game, Hibernian earned a corner, and Callum Wright’s deflected effort slipped past the Rangers goalkeeper to nestle in the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for the Edinburgh side.
The result marked a particularly bleak debut for McInnes at Ibrox. In addition to the defeat, the Rangers camp was dealt a further blow when their promising striker Youssef Chermiti, who had been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a figure that would have set a new club record – was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher after a nasty collision with the advertising boards.
Chermiti’s injury added to the disappointment surrounding the match. In the broader context of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic and St Mirren both sit on six points after two games, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already under pressure to close the gap. McInnes, now in his third match in the so‑called Ibrox hot seat, is still searching for that elusive first win.
Key moments of the encounter were highlighted by the broadcast: at the 12‑minute mark VAR intervened, confirming the penalty after reviewing the challenge between Dragojević and Kerr. Campbell calmly slotted the penalty, giving Hibs an early advantage. Later, at 25 minutes, Chermiti thought he had equalised, only for Miguel Chaiwa to make a spectacular clearance off the line, preserving Hibs’s lead.
In the 37th minute, Chermiti suffered a severe tumble into the advertising boards, an injury that ultimately ended his participation in the match. At 62 minutes, Lawrence Shankland’s effort struck the crossbar after a deflection by goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger. The equaliser arrived at 83 minutes when Chaiwa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, and the final blow came in stoppage time, 90+3, when Wright’s deflected shot found the bottom corner to clinch the win for Hibernian. After the final whistle, Rangers manager Derek McInnes addressed the media, acknowledging his side’s shortcomings.
He admitted that the team had squandered chances in the first half and failed to push forward aggressively enough. McInnes expressed surprise at the penalty decision, describing it as “very soft” and questioning the referee’s need to consult the monitor.
He praised his players for their effort, stating that the equaliser was deserved and that the team wanted to win. He also noted that minor issues were affecting the squad but insisted that they were not as dire as critics suggested. McInnes spoke about the ongoing work to bring his players back to optimal fitness levels and the challenge of managing that process. He recognised the frustration of the Rangers supporters, sharing their disappointment and affirming his own frustration with the situation.
Hibs head coach David Gray offered his perspective on the victory. He highlighted how Rangers applied intense pressure in the second half, testing the character of his side. Gray explained that an attacking substitution was made to maintain a proactive mindset rather than simply sitting back under pressure. He expressed delight in the performance of the players who came on, noting that the changes helped build character within the squad.
Gray praised the collective effort, stating that it would be difficult to single out any individual because the entire team performed well. He reflected on the adversity faced at the start of the season, acknowledging the constant demands and expectations placed on the club.
Gray emphasized the importance of unity, asserting that the group remains in a strong position internally and that more progress is on the horizon. The match also featured promotional elements, encouraging viewers to use Chrome for a more accessible video player, to watch the Scottish Premiership on their phones via Sky, and to view free highlights online.
Additionally, there were calls to participate in a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, with an invitation to enter for free. Overall, the encounter was a roller‑coaster of emotions, with Hibernian’s resilience and opportunism ultimately prevailing over Rangers’ dominance in shots and possession.
The result adds another layer of pressure on Derek McInnes, who must now find a way to translate his team’s attacking intent into tangible victories as the season progresses.