Derek McInnes insists that Rangers are "not as poor as some people claim" even though his tenure at Ibrox has begun without a win. 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 by the serious injury to promising striker Youssef Chermiti, who was taken off on a stretcher. With Celtic and St Mirren both sitting on six points after two league fixtures, Rangers find themselves five points adrift and already playing catch‑up. The new manager is eager to secure his inaugural victory after three games in the hot seat at Ibrox.
"We’re not as bad as some people will be saying at the minute," McInnes told Sky Sports. "It’s important that we batten down the hatches, stay strong and stay together. We want to finish the season strongly and we will. At the moment 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 added that Chermiti’s injury was "far from ideal" but stressed the need to build a side that can develop rhythm and cohesion, ultimately delivering wins.
"We didn’t start the way we wanted, but we still plan to get the finish and the outcome we desire and we’ll work towards that," he said. The match itself began poorly for Rangers when Hibs earned a penalty in the 11th minute. Josh Campbell converted after VAR flagged a foul by Vanja Dragojevic – the latter’s first start for Rangers after his transfer from Partizan Belgrade – on defender Jason Kerr inside the box.
McInnes felt the decision was incorrect and that it contributed to the early setback. "I think it was a wrong decision that made us go behind in the first place," he remarked. He praised several moments in the first half but described the overall play as "a bit slow and pedestrian at times." He also noted that Hibernian’s shape forced Rangers to fight hard for space, though he believed his side had good periods of possession.
The manager was particularly concerned about Chermiti’s injury, which came after a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a figure that would have set a new club record. The 22‑year‑old striker, who joined Glasgow last summer for up to £10 million, contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions last season. Rangers’ hierarchy appear determined to retain him, valuing him above the £19.6 million they received for Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax in 2023. McInnes explained the club’s stance: "The fact that the board rejected such a big number shows how important he is to us, so we’re delighted from that side of it.
He’ll get a scan tomorrow. He left the pitch with a brace and a boot – it looks like a knee injury, but we won’t speculate until we have the results. Hopefully he’s lucky because we could certainly use his contribution. He’s a big part of our plans moving forward and we hope for a positive scan." Returning to the match, McInnes felt the penalty was "out of the blue" and expressed doubt that it should have been awarded.
He also criticized the referee’s handling of the incident, saying, "I don’t think the referee should be brought over." Despite the loss, McInnes believed his side were the better team for much of the game. He highlighted the impact of the substitutes in the final 25 minutes, stating that they helped Rangers dominate possession and create chances. "We were by far the dominant team.
I thought we were the better team and sometimes, in fact, we don’t always get what we deserve but nobody will tell me any differently," he asserted. He praised the effort and determination of his players, noting that they continued to push for a win even after falling behind. "I was delighted with the effort of the players, delighted with how they kept going to try and get a win. That’s how we want to play and I didn’t see that second goal coming," McInnes said, referring to Hibs’s winning strike that slipped past goalkeeper Ivor.
Both goals, he argued, were harsh on Rangers. The penalty, a slight deflection, and the late winner were moments that required the team to dig deep and respond. "A tough way to lose it," he concluded, acknowledging the disappointment but urging his squad to keep fighting. Looking ahead, McInnes emphasized the need for the team to regain fitness, integrate Chermiti once his scan is cleared, and find a consistent rhythm that will translate into points.
The manager’s message to fans and players alike is one of patience, resilience, and belief that the club can still turn the season around despite the early setbacks. The broader context of the Scottish Premiership remains competitive, with Celtic and St Mirren maintaining early momentum. Rangers must close the five‑point gap quickly if they hope to contend for the title. McInnes’s challenge will be to steady the ship, keep his squad united, and convert the flashes of dominance he sees into tangible results on the scoreboard.