Derek McInnes continues his quest for a maiden triumph at the helm of Rangers after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at Ibrox in stoppage time. The match began with a palpable sense of anxiety for the home side, and Hibs seized the initiative early. In the 12th minute, a penalty was awarded after VAR intervened to confirm a foul by Vanja Dragojević on Jason Kerr.
Josh Campbell stepped up and calmly slotted the spot‑kick, giving the Edinburgh club an early lead. Rangers, who dominated possession and registered a staggering 25 shots over the course of the game, struggled to break through the Hibs defence. Their persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute when a low cross from Djeidi Gassama was inadvertently turned into his own net by Hibernian defender Miguel Chaiwa, leveling the score at 1-1. The drama was far from over, however.
In the dying moments of the match, Hibernian earned a corner and Callum Wright unleashed a deflected effort that curled into the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The result marked a bleak debut for McInnes at Ibrox. Adding to the disappointment, Rangers’ promising young striker Youssef Chermiti, who had recently been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray, was forced off on a stretcher after a severe collision that left him unable to continue. The injury underscored the physical toll of the encounter and heightened the sense of frustration among the Rangers faithful.
In the broader 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 in the notoriously demanding Ibrox hot seat, is still searching for that elusive first win that could ease the mounting scrutiny.
Key moments of the match were captured in the broadcast timeline: a VAR review at the 12th minute confirmed the penalty; Campbell’s conversion gave Hibs the lead; at 25 minutes, Chermiti appeared to score only to be denied by a superb clearance from Megwa; at 37 minutes, the striker suffered a nasty tumble into the advertising boards, ending his night; Lawrence Shankland’s effort struck the crossbar at 62 minutes; Chaiwa’s own goal at 83 minutes restored parity; and finally, Wright’s last‑gasp strike in the 93rd minute clinched the win. After the final whistle, McInnes addressed the media, acknowledging that his side had squandered opportunities in the first half and failed to play with sufficient forward intent. He admitted that the penalty decision felt soft and was surprised by the referee’s reliance on the monitor.
Nonetheless, he praised his players for their effort, insisting the equaliser was deserved and that the team remained resilient despite “little things” working against them. McInnes also highlighted the ongoing fitness work required to bring his squad back to peak condition and expressed empathy with the supporters, sharing their frustration while urging patience. Hibs head coach David Gray offered his perspective, noting that Rangers applied intense pressure in the second half, testing the character of his side. Gray praised the impact of his attacking substitutions, which helped maintain a proactive mentality even under sustained opposition pressure.
He lauded the collective performance, stating that it would be difficult to single out any individual because the entire team performed admirably. Gray also reflected on the adversity faced early in the season, emphasizing the importance of unity and the belief that the club is in a good position to achieve more as the campaign progresses. The match also featured several ancillary elements aimed at fan engagement, including prompts to watch the Scottish Premiership on mobile devices, free highlight reels, and promotional messages about a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize. These elements, while peripheral to the on‑field action, illustrate the modern blend of sport and entertainment that surrounds Scottish football.
Overall, the encounter served as a stark reminder of the fine margins that dictate success or failure in top‑flight football. For Rangers, the loss deepens the urgency to find a winning formula under McInnes, while Hibernian can take heart from a resilient display that combined tactical discipline, opportunistic finishing, and a touch of late‑stage drama to secure three points at one of Scotland’s most intimidating venues.