Derek McInnes continues his quest for a maiden win at the helm of Rangers after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 triumph at Ibrox in stoppage time. The match began with a palpable sense of anxiety for the home side, and Hibs took the initiative early on. In the 12th minute, a penalty was awarded after VAR intervened to confirm a foul by Vanja Dragojevic on Jason Kerr. Josh Campbell stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, giving the Edinburgh club a deserved lead.
Rangers responded with relentless pressure, registering an impressive 25 attempts on goal throughout the game. Their persistence paid off late in the encounter when, 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.
The drama, however, was far from over. From a corner in the dying moments of the match, Callum Wright unleashed a deflected shot that found the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for Hibernian and leaving McInnes without a win after three fixtures in the Ibrox hot seat. The defeat was compounded by a serious injury to Rangers' marquee striker Youssef Chermiti. The forward, who had recently been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray—a sum that would have set a new club record—was forced off on a stretcher after a heavy fall into the advertising boards.
His absence not only robbed the team of a potent attacking option but also highlighted the physical toll of a high‑intensity Premiership clash. In the broader context of the Scottish league, both Celtic and St Mirren sit on six points after two games, leaving Rangers five points adrift and intensifying the pressure on McInnes to deliver results. The manager addressed the media after the match, acknowledging the team's shortcomings: "We were guilty of passing up opportunities in the first half and not playing forward enough. I saw the VAR decision and, while I don't think it was a penalty, we have a lot of the game to try and rectify that.
The equaliser felt deserved, and we wanted to win the game. I can't fault my players' effort." He also touched on fitness concerns and fan frustration, noting that the squad is still building back to optimal conditioning and that he shares the supporters' disappointment. "There are little things going against us at the minute but we have to stay strong, we're not as bad as people think," McInnes added, emphasizing the need for resilience.
Hibs head coach David Gray praised his side's character and tactical adjustments. He highlighted the second‑half pressure from Rangers, stating, "Rangers put us under severe pressure for the second half, the character was really tested but we made an attacking substitution to try and have that mentality of not just sitting in, even with the Rangers pressure." Gray lauded the impact of the substitutes, particularly noting how the changes built confidence and showcased the depth of his squad. The match featured several notable moments beyond the goals.
Early on, a VAR review confirmed Dragojevic's challenge on Kerr, leading to the penalty that set the tone. Later, Chermiti appeared to have equalised, only for Miguel Chaiwa to make a crucial clearance off the line, preserving Hibs' lead. The Rangers striker's tumble into the advertising boards was a stark reminder of the physical stakes, while Lawrence Shankland's deflected effort struck the crossbar, narrowly missing a chance to level the game earlier. From a tactical perspective, the game illustrated the fine margins that often decide Premiership encounters.
Rangers' dominance in shots did not translate into goals, underscoring a need for sharper finishing and perhaps a more disciplined defensive shape to prevent own‑goals like Chaiwa's. Hibs, on the other hand, capitalized on set‑piece opportunities and displayed composure under pressure, traits that will serve them well as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Rangers must regroup quickly. The manager's comments about fitness suggest a focus on conditioning in training sessions, while the squad will need to address the creative dead‑air zones that left them unable to convert the majority of their chances. The loss also puts them on the back foot in the title race, meaning every subsequent match will carry heightened significance. For Hibernian, the victory provides a morale boost and a platform to build upon.
Gray's emphasis on unity and adaptability signals a forward‑looking approach, with the team likely to retain the tactical flexibility that proved decisive against a traditionally stronger opponent. Overall, the fixture was a vivid reminder of the unpredictability of Scottish football, where a single moment—such as Wright's late deflected strike—can overturn the balance of power and leave a manager like McInnes still searching for that elusive first win at Ibrox.