Derek McInnes maintains that Rangers "aren't as terrible as some claim" even though his tenure at Ibrox has yet to produce a victory. His first home match in charge ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, a loss that was further marred by the serious injury to striker Youssef Chermiti, who had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Both Celtic and St Mirren sit on six points after two league games, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already in pursuit of the leaders. McInnes is now desperate for his inaugural win after three outings in the Ibrox hot seat.
"We’re not as bad as some people are saying at the moment," McInnes told Sky Sports. "It’s crucial that we batten down the hatches, stay strong and stay united. As a club we want to emerge from this period in a good position and we will.
Right now we’re trying to manage the situation. Some players aren’t fully fit yet, but we need to get them playing so they can regain fitness." He added, "Youssef’s injury is far from ideal, but we’re trying to integrate the squad and develop a side that can find rhythm and a connection that allows us to win games.
We didn’t start the way we wanted, but we still intend to finish the season the way we aim to, and we’ll work towards that outcome." Hibernian seized the lead in the 11th minute when Josh Campbell converted a penalty after VAR flagged a foul by Vanja Dragojevic – the first Rangers starter signed from Partizan Belgrade – on defender Jason Kerr inside the box. It was the visitors’ first shot of the match.
McInnes felt the decision was erroneous: "I think it was a wrong decision that put us behind early. I saw a lot of decent moments in the first half, but the tempo was a bit sluggish and at times pedestrian. Hibs are a team that organised themselves well, and their shape gave them space, forcing us to fight hard for possession." He continued, "We did have some good spells.
The injury to Youssef was a blow, especially for him and the team, and we had to adjust. I still believe the penalty was questionable – I didn’t see it as a penalty at the time and, looking back, I still don’t think it should have been given.
The referee shouldn’t have been involved." Reflecting on the overall performance, McInnes said, "We have a lot to do and we’ve put ourselves in a position where we need to dig out. I felt we were the side more likely to score, particularly in the final 25 minutes when the substitutes made an impact.
We dominated large portions of the game and were the better team, even if we didn’t get the result we deserved. It’s harsh on the players to lose, but we keep moving forward. I was delighted with the effort and the determination to chase a win – that’s the style we want to play.
I didn’t see the second goal coming. Both goals were harsh on us; the penalty and a slight deflection that went past Ivor for the winner illustrate how fine the margins can be. You have to dig deep and try again. It was a tough way to lose." The match also saw further disappointment when Chermiti, who had recently been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray – a sum that would have set a new club record – was forced off after sustaining a knee injury.
Reports suggest Ibrox officials are keen to retain the 22‑year‑old forward this summer, valuing him above the £19.6 million received for Calvin Bassey’s transfer to Ajax in 2023. Chermiti arrived in Glasgow last summer on a deal that could rise to £10 million and contributed 15 goals and five assists across all competitions in his debut season. McInnes commented, "The fact the club turned down such a large offer shows how important he is to us, so we’re pleased from that perspective. He’ll have a scan tomorrow; he left the pitch today in a boot and a brace.
It appears to be a knee injury, but we won’t speculate until we have the scan results. Hopefully he’s lucky because we could certainly use his services. He’s a big part of our plans moving forward and we hope for a positive scan." Looking ahead, McInnes stressed the need for patience and collective effort as Rangers strive to close the gap on the league leaders.
He highlighted the importance of squad depth, noting that several players are still regaining match fitness after pre‑season injuries and that the coaching staff will rotate the roster to keep energy levels high. The manager also addressed the broader context of the Scottish Premiership, acknowledging that the early season table can be deceptive and that consistency over the long haul will be decisive. "We have to focus on each game, treat every opponent with respect, and keep improving our play.
If we can stay united, keep the squad healthy, and find our rhythm, the points will come," he said. In summary, despite a disappointing start, McInnes remains confident in his squad’s quality and resilience. He urged supporters to stay patient, emphasizing that the team is working tirelessly to turn the tide, recover injured players, and secure the wins that will lift Rangers back into contention for the title.