Derek McInnes has 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 home loss to Hibernian in McInnes's first match in charge, a game that was further marred when promising striker Youssef Chermiti was forced off on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury.
At the moment Celtic and St Mirren both sit on six points after two league fixtures, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already in pursuit of the leaders. McInnes is now looking for his inaugural win 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 come out of this window in a good position 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 the injury to Chermiti was "far from ideal" but emphasized the need to build a side that can develop rhythm and cohesion, allowing the team to win games. "We didn’t start the way we wanted, but we still plan to finish the way we need to and we’ll work towards that," he said.
The match itself began with Hibernian taking the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded to Josh Campbell. VAR had intervened when Vanja Dragojevic, making his first start for Rangers after arriving from Partizan Belgrade, fouled Hibs defender Jason Kerr inside the box.
The penalty was the visitors’ first shot of the game. McInnes was quick to criticize the decision, stating, "I think it was a wrong decision that made us go behind in the first place.
I didn’t think it was a penalty at the time and, after reviewing it, I still don’t believe it should have been given. The referee shouldn’t have been brought over." Despite the early setback, McInnes felt there were positive moments in the first half, even if the overall tempo was "a bit slow and pedestrian at times." He noted that Hibs were well‑organised, forcing Rangers to battle for space, yet he believed his side showed flashes of quality. "I thought we were the team that was more likely to score. In the last 25 minutes the substitutes helped, and we were the dominant side," he argued.
"Sometimes you don’t get the result you deserve, but I won’t be told otherwise." He also expressed sympathy for his players after the loss, describing it as a harsh outcome: "We were the better team, not great but better than Hibs. It was tough for my players to be on the losing side, but we keep going. I was delighted with the effort they showed and how they kept pushing for a win. That's the style we want to play." The second goal, a slight deflection that slipped past goalkeeper Ivor, compounded the disappointment.
McInnes called both goals "harsh on us" and stressed the need for his squad to dig deep and respond. "A tough way to lose it," he concluded. The injury to Chermiti added further worry.
The 22‑year‑old had been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a club‑record offer for Rangers – which was rejected. Club officials appear keen to retain him, valuing him even higher than the £19.6 million fee received for Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax in 2023. Chermiti joined Glasgow last summer for up to £10 million and contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions in his debut season.
McInnes explained the situation: "The fact the club turned down such a big number shows how important he is to us. He’ll have a scan tomorrow; he left the pitch with a brace and a boot. It’s some sort of knee injury, but we won’t speculate until we have the results. Hopefully he’s lucky because we could certainly use him.
He’s a big part of our plans moving forward, and we hope for a positive scan." Looking ahead, McInnes emphasized the importance of squad depth and fitness. With several players still regaining match sharpness, he expects the team to rotate and give opportunities to younger talent, while also managing the workload of senior players to avoid further injuries. The manager highlighted that the early part of the season is a "testing period" where the club must assess its tactical approach, player conditioning, and overall morale.
He also addressed the broader context of the Scottish Premiership, noting that the league is highly competitive and that Rangers must improve quickly to keep pace with Celtic, who have already secured a strong start, and St Mirren, who have shown resilience. "We have to be consistent, we have to be patient but also aggressive when the chance comes," McInnes said. "The fans expect us to fight for titles, and we will not shy away from that challenge." In summary, despite a disappointing debut and the setback of a key striker’s injury, McInnes remains confident that Rangers can turn the tide.
He urges supporters to stay patient, trust the process, and continue backing the team as they strive to regain momentum in the league. The manager’s message is clear: the early season difficulties are just a hurdle, not a verdict, and with determination, tactical adjustments, and a bit of luck with injuries, Rangers can still achieve their ambitions.