Derek McInnes continues to chase his inaugural triumph as the manager of Rangers after a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Ibrox, courtesy of an injury‑time winner from Hibernian. The match unfolded with early tension for the home side, and Hibs seized the advantage in the 12th minute when VAR intervened to award a penalty after Vanja Dragojević clipped Jason Kerr inside the box.
Josh Campbell stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, putting the Edinburgh club ahead. Rangers responded with relentless pressure, rattling the net 25 times over the course of the game, yet they were unable to find a breakthrough until the final stages.
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 setting the stage for a nail‑biting finish. The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Hibs earned a corner. Callum Wright rose to meet the delivery, and his shot, after a slight deflection, curled into the far corner beyond the outstretched arms of the Rangers goalkeeper.
The goal secured a 2-1 victory for Hibernian and marked a painful debut for McInnes at Ibrox, where he also witnessed the distressing injury to star striker Youssef Chermiti. Chermiti, who had been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a club‑record offer – was forced off the pitch on a stretcher after a heavy tumble. The defeat leaves Rangers trailing the league leaders Celtic and St Mirren, both of whom sit on six points after two Premiership fixtures.
Rangers now sit five points adrift and are under pressure to close the gap, with McInnes having yet to register a win in his first three matches in the so‑called "Ibrox hot seat". Key moments from the match included: - 12' VAR review: The referee consulted the monitor after a clash between Dragojević and Kerr, resulting in the penalty awarded to Hibs. - 13' Goal: Campbell converted the spot‑kick, giving Hibs an early lead.
- 25' Near miss: Chermiti thought he had equalised, but Miguel Chaiwa made a superb clearance off the line. - 37' Injury: Chermiti suffered a severe knock, colliding with the advertising boards and requiring medical attention. - 62' Close call: Lawrence Shankland's effort struck the crossbar after a deflection from Raphael Sallinger.
- 83' Equaliser: Chaiwa inadvertently turned Gassama's cross into his own net, restoring parity. - 90+3' Winner: Wright's deflected strike from a corner found the bottom corner, sealing the win for Hibs. After the final whistle, Rangers manager Derek McInnes addressed Premier Sports, acknowledging his side's shortcomings. He admitted the team "passed up opportunities in the first half and did not play forward enough" and questioned the softness of the penalty decision, noting that the referee had to be summoned to the monitor.
McInnes praised his players' effort despite the loss, emphasizing that the equaliser was deserved and that the squad needed to stay resilient. He highlighted ongoing fitness concerns, stating that the coaching staff were working to bring the players back to peak condition and manage the current situation.
McInnes also expressed empathy with the supporters, recognising their frustration and sharing their desire for victories. Hibernian head coach David Gray offered his perspective, noting that Rangers applied "severe pressure" in the second half, testing his team's character. Gray praised the tactical substitution that injected fresh energy and prevented his side from simply sitting back under pressure. He lauded the collective performance, saying it was difficult to single out any individual because "they were all so good".
Gray reflected on the adversity faced at the start of the season, emphasizing the importance of unity and internal belief. He affirmed that the squad is in a good place and that more positive results are on the horizon. The match also featured several ancillary elements for fans, including prompts to watch Scottish Premiership highlights on mobile devices, a reminder to use Chrome for an accessible video player, and promotional messages about a Super 6 lottery offering a £250,000 prize.
These sidebars underscored the broader media and commercial context surrounding the game. Overall, the encounter highlighted the fine margins that can decide a Scottish Premiership fixture. Hibernian's composure in front of goal, combined with a late defensive lapse from Rangers, produced a heart‑stopping finish. For McInnes, the loss adds pressure to his tenure, as he seeks to reverse the trend and guide Rangers back into contention for the title.
For Hibs, the victory reinforces their resilience and ability to compete against the traditional Glasgow giants, while also providing a morale boost after a challenging start to the season. The narrative continues to unfold as both clubs look ahead to their next fixtures, with Rangers aiming to close the points gap and Hibs hoping to build on this hard‑earned win.