Derek McInnes continues to chase his inaugural win as the manager of Rangers after Hibernian secured a dramatic 2-1 triumph at Ibrox with a goal in injury time. The match began with a palpable sense of anxiety for the home side, and Hibs seized the initiative early on.
In the 12th minute, a penalty was awarded after VAR reviewed a challenge by Vanja Dragojevic on Jason Kerr. Josh Campbell stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, giving the Edinburgh club a deserved lead. Rangers, despite dominating possession and registering a staggering 25 shots over the course of the game, were unable to break the deadlock for the majority of the encounter. Their persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute when 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. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Hibs earned a corner and Callum Wright struck a deflected effort that slipped past the Rangers goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The loss proved a bitter pill for McInnes, marking a disastrous start to his tenure at Ibrox.
Adding to the misery, Rangers’ promising striker Youssef Chermiti, who had recently been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray—a figure that would have set a new club record—was forced off on a stretcher after a heavy collision that left him with a serious injury. Chermiti’s departure not only robbed Rangers of a key attacking outlet but also underscored the physical toll of the encounter. In the wider context of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic and St Mirren sit on six points after two games, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already under pressure to close the gap. McInnes, now three matches into his spell at the helm, is desperate to turn the tide and deliver the first win that has thus far eluded him.
Key moments of the match were captured in a series of highlights. At the 12‑minute mark, VAR intervened to confirm the penalty after reviewing a tussle between Dragojevic and Kerr.
Campbell’s conversion gave Hibs the early advantage. Later, at 25 minutes, Chermiti appeared to have equalised, only for Miguel Chaiwa to make a spectacular clearance off the line, denying the Rangers striker. In the 37th minute, Chermiti suffered a frightening fall into the advertising boards, an injury that ended his participation and cast a shadow over the game. At 62 minutes, Lawrence Shankland’s effort struck the crossbar after a deflection from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
The equaliser arrived in the 83rd minute when Chaiwa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, and finally, in the third minute of added time, Wright’s deflected shot found the bottom corner to clinch the win for Hibs. After the final whistle, McInnes addressed the media, acknowledging his side’s shortcomings.
He admitted that Rangers had missed several opportunities in the first half and had not been aggressive enough in their forward play. He expressed frustration with the VAR decision, describing the penalty as “very soft” and questioning why the referee was summoned to the monitor. Nevertheless, he praised his players for their effort and defended the legitimacy of the equaliser, stating that the team deserved it and that they were committed to securing a victory. McInnes also highlighted the challenges of rebuilding fitness levels among his squad and empathised with the supporters’ disappointment, sharing their frustration and urging patience as the team works to improve.
Hibernian head coach David Gray offered his perspective on the victory. He noted that Rangers applied intense pressure in the second half, testing Hibs’ character, but the Edinburgh side responded with an attacking substitution that helped maintain a proactive mindset rather than simply defending. Gray praised the impact of the fresh players, saying they demonstrated resilience and contributed to the team’s character development.
He singled out Josh Mulligan as a player well‑suited to the style of play, while emphasizing that the collective effort made it difficult to single out any one individual. Gray also reflected on the early‑season adversity, acknowledging the high expectations placed on the club and the importance of unity within the squad. He concluded on an optimistic note, asserting that the team is in a good position internally and that more positive results are forthcoming.
The match also featured promotional content encouraging fans to engage with a free Scottish Premiership video player via Chrome for better accessibility, as well as invitations to watch the league on mobile devices and to enjoy free highlight reels. Additionally, a promotional campaign for the Super 6 lottery, offering a chance to win £250,000, was highlighted throughout the broadcast.
Overall, the game served as a stark reminder of the fine margins that can dictate success or failure in top‑flight football. Hibernian’s ability to capitalise on set‑piece opportunities and maintain composure under pressure earned them three points, while Rangers must regroup, address fitness concerns, and find a way to convert their abundant chances into goals if they hope to close the gap on the league leaders and give Derek McInnes the win he so desperately seeks.