Derek McInnes continues to chase his inaugural triumph as the manager of Rangers after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at Ibrox with a last‑minute strike. The match began with a palpable sense of anxiety on the Rangers side, and it was Hibs who drew first blood when Josh Campbell converted a penalty in the 12th minute.
The spot‑kick was awarded after VAR intervened to confirm a foul by Vanja Dragojević on Jason Kerr inside the box. Rangers responded with relentless pressure, registering a staggering 25 attempts on goal over the course of the game. 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 excitement, however, was far from over.
In stoppage time, Hibernian earned a corner and Callum Wright unleashed a deflected shot that found the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for the Edinburgh side. The result marked a bleak debut for McInnes at Ibrox, compounded by the unfortunate injury to Rangers' star striker Youssef Chermiti.
Chermiti, 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 that ended his participation in the match. With Celtic and St Mirren both sitting on six points after two Premiership fixtures, Rangers now find themselves five points adrift and already in pursuit of the leaders.
This defeat adds pressure to McInnes, who is still searching for his first win after three games in what has become a hot seat at Ibrox. Key moments of the encounter included: - 12': VAR review of the clash between Dragojević and Kerr leads to a penalty, which Campbell calmly slots home for Hibs. - 25': Chermiti appears to score, but Miguel Chaiwa makes a spectacular clearance off the line, denying the Rangers striker.
- 37': Chermiti suffers a severe tumble into the advertising boards, sustaining an injury that forces his exit. - 62': Lawrence Shankland’s effort deflects off Raphael Sallinger and rattles the crossbar.
- 83': Rangers finally break the deadlock as Chaiwa inadvertently turns the ball into his own net, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. - 90+3': In the dying seconds, Hibs capitalize on a Rangers attack, with Wright’s deflected strike finding the bottom corner to secure the win. After the final whistle, McInnes addressed the media on Premier Sports, acknowledging his side’s shortcomings.
He admitted that the team had missed several opportunities in the first half and had not been proactive enough in attack. "I saw the replay and I don’t think it was a penalty, but we have a lot of the game to try and rectify that. It was a soft decision and I was surprised the referee was called over to the monitor," McInnes explained. He praised his players for their effort, noting that the equaliser was deserved and that the team needed to stay resilient despite the setbacks.
He also highlighted the ongoing fitness challenges, saying, "We are trying to get the boys back to the same level of fitness and manage that situation. I understand the fans’ frustration; they expect us to win, and I share that frustration." Hibs head coach David Gray offered his perspective, emphasizing the character displayed by his side under intense pressure.
"Rangers put us under severe pressure in the second half; the character was really tested. We made an attacking substitution to keep the mentality of not just sitting back, even with the Rangers pressure," Gray said. He lauded the impact of the substitutes, noting that their performances built the team’s resilience.
"The type of game suits Josh Mulligan. It would be difficult to single anyone out because they were all so good," Gray added.
He reflected on the early-season adversity, stressing the importance of unity: "The demands and expectations are always there. The biggest thing is sticking together as a group.
Internally we know we’re in a good place; there’s more to come." Beyond the on‑field drama, the broadcast included prompts for viewers to watch the Scottish Premiership on various platforms, including a suggestion to use Chrome for a more accessible video player and reminders to catch free highlights. The match also featured promotional content for a Super 6 lottery offering a £250,000 prize, encouraging fans to enter for free. In summary, the encounter at Ibrox was a roller‑coaster of emotions, with Hibernian clinching a late winner after a hard‑fought battle. Rangers’ manager Derek McInnes remains winless in his tenure, while the club grapples with injuries, fitness concerns, and mounting pressure from supporters eager for success.
The next fixtures will be crucial for both sides as they look to build momentum in the early stages of the Scottish Premiership season.