Derek McInnes has repeatedly insisted that Rangers are not as poor as some critics claim, even though his tenure at Ibrox has yet to produce a victory. The Scottish Premiership side suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss at home to Hibernian in McInnes's first match in charge, a game that was further marred when promising striker Youssef Chermiti was stretchered off with a knee injury.
The defeat leaves Rangers five points adrift of the league leaders, with Celtic and St Mirren both sitting on six points after two fixtures. McInnes, now in his third game as the club's manager, is still searching for that elusive first win. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, he attempted to temper the criticism surrounding his early results. "We’re not as bad as some people are saying at the moment," McInnes told the broadcaster.
"It’s vital that we batten down the hatches, stay strong and stick together as a unit. Our aim is to finish this season strongly, and we’ll get there.
Right now we’re managing the situation – some players aren’t fully fit yet, but we need to get them playing so they can regain fitness." He acknowledged that Chermiti’s injury was a significant setback, but emphasized the need to build a cohesive side capable of finding rhythm and creating scoring opportunities. "We didn’t start the way we wanted, but we still plan to finish the way we want and we’ll work towards that," he added. The match itself began with Hibs taking the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty by Josh Campbell.
The decision came after VAR intervened, flagging a foul by Vanja Dragojevic – a new signing from Partizan Belgrade – on Hibernian defender Jason Kerr. McInnes argued that the penalty was a questionable call. "I think it was a wrong decision that put us behind early," he said. "I didn’t see it at the time, but after reviewing it, I don’t believe it should have been a penalty." Despite the early setback, McInnes felt his side displayed moments of quality.
He described the first half as “a bit slow and pedestrian at times,” but also highlighted periods where Rangers pressed well and created chances. "Hibs are a team that can sit deep, and they forced us to fight for space. I still thought we had some good moments," he remarked.
The injury to Chermiti added another layer of difficulty. The 22‑year‑old forward, who had been the subject of a reported £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a figure that would have set a new club record – was forced off after a knock. The club’s hierarchy appears determined to retain him, valuing him above the £19.6 million fee received for Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax in 2023.
Chermiti arrived in Glasgow last summer for a fee that could rise to £10 million and contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions in his debut season. McInnes explained the club’s stance: "The fact that the board rejected such a large offer shows how important he is to us.
He’ll have a scan tomorrow; it’s a knee issue, but we won’t speculate until we have the results. We hope he’s lucky because we need him for the future." After the penalty, Rangers fought back and equalised, only for Hibs to score a second, decisive goal in the closing stages. McInnes praised his players’ resilience, saying he was delighted with their effort and determination to push for a win.
"We were the better team for large parts of the match. Sometimes you don’t get the result you deserve, but I stand by the performance of my squad," he asserted.
He also reflected on the tactical battle, noting that Hibs’ shape forced Rangers to adapt and that the substitutes made a positive impact in the final 25 minutes. "We dominated at times and created chances, but the penalty and a slight deflection that led to the winning goal were harsh on us," McInnes said. "It’s a tough way to lose, but we’ll dig deep and come back stronger." Looking ahead, McInnes emphasized the importance of fitness and squad depth. With several players still nursing minor knocks, he expects them to return to full training soon, which should give him more options as the season progresses.
He also hinted at potential tactical tweaks to address the lack of fluidity he observed in the first half, aiming to make the team more decisive in the attacking third. The broader context of Rangers’ campaign remains challenging. The club sits behind Celtic and St Mirren, both of whom have collected six points from two matches, while Rangers have only three.
McInnes knows that turning the tide will require not just tactical adjustments but also mental resilience from his players. "We need to stay focused, work hard in training, and keep believing that we can improve," he concluded.
Off the pitch, the club’s transfer strategy will be under scrutiny, especially regarding Chermiti’s future. Retaining a young striker who has already shown his goal‑scoring prowess could be pivotal for Rangers’ ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
The management’s willingness to reject a record‑breaking offer signals a commitment to building a competitive squad rather than simply cashing in. In summary, despite a disappointing start and the blow of losing a key forward to injury, Derek McInnes remains optimistic. He believes the team possesses the quality to compete, stresses the need for unity, and vows to steer Rangers back on a winning trajectory as the season unfolds.