Derek McInnes continues to chase his inaugural triumph in the Rangers hot seat after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at Ibrox with a last‑minute strike. The match began with a palpable sense of anxiety for the home 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 following a challenge by Vanja Dragojević on Jason Kerr, confirming the foul and prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Rangers, who dominated possession and registered a total of 25 attempts on goal, finally restored parity 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. The drama, however, was far from over.
In injury time, Hibernian earned a corner that produced a chaotic scramble in the box. Callum Wright’s deflected effort found the back of the net, slipping into the far corner and sealing a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The result marked a bleak debut for McInnes at Ibrox, compounded by the distressing injury to Rangers’ promising striker Youssef Chermiti. Chermiti, who had 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.
His departure left the Rangers attack diminished at a crucial juncture. In the wider context of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic and St Mirren sit on six points after two games, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already under pressure to close the gap. McInnes, now in his third match at the helm, is still seeking that elusive first win to steady his tenure.
Key moments of the encounter included: - 12': VAR review confirmed a foul by Dragojević on Kerr, resulting in a penalty. Campbell calmly slotted the spot‑kick to give Hibs an early lead.
- 25': A close‑range attempt by Chermiti appeared to find the net, but Miguel Chaiwa made a spectacular clearance off the line, preserving Hibs’s advantage. - 37': Chermiti suffered a severe tumble into the advertising boards, sustaining an injury that ended his participation. - 62': Lawrence Shankland’s powerful drive struck the crossbar after a deflection, the rebound being denied by goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger. - 83': Rangers finally broke through when Chaiwa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, equalising for the home side.
- 90+3': In the dying seconds, Hibs launched a swift counter‑attack from a corner, and Wright’s shot, after a slight deflection, curled into the bottom corner to clinch the win. After the final whistle, McInnes addressed Premier Sports, reflecting on the team’s performance.
He admitted that the side had squandered opportunities in the first half and had not been proactive enough in attack. He questioned the penalty decision, suggesting it was a soft call, but acknowledged that the referee’s VAR review was within the rules. McInnes praised his players for their effort, stating that the equaliser was deserved and that the squad deserved credit for their resilience. He noted that minor issues were affecting the team but insisted they were not as dire as critics claimed.
The manager also highlighted the ongoing work to bring the squad back to peak fitness levels and manage the current situation. He expressed empathy with the supporters’ frustration, affirming that he shares their desire for victories. Hibernian head coach David Gray also spoke about the contest, commending his side for withstanding intense pressure from Rangers in the second half.
He emphasized that the match tested the team’s character, but tactical substitutions helped maintain an attacking mindset rather than simply defending. Gray praised the impact of the incoming players, noting that their contributions built character and confidence. He singled out Josh Mulligan as a player well‑suited to this type of high‑intensity game, while also acknowledging the collective effort of the squad. Gray reflected on the early‑season adversity, recognising the inevitable expectations placed on the club.
He stressed the importance of unity within the group and expressed optimism about the future, believing the team is in a strong position and that more positive results lie ahead. The match also featured several promotional messages encouraging fans to watch the Scottish Premiership on various platforms, including a suggestion to use Chrome for a more accessible video player, a reminder to check Sky for mobile streaming, and an invitation to view free highlights.
Additionally, there were calls to participate in a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize, with entries available at no cost. Overall, the fixture delivered a roller‑coaster of emotions, with Hibernian’s late heroics overturning Rangers’ dominance in shots and possession.
The outcome leaves McInnes still yearning for his first win, while the injury to Chermiti adds a further challenge for the Glasgow club as they strive to close the gap on league leaders Celtic and St Mirren.