Derek McInnes continues his quest for a maiden triumph at the helm of Rangers after Hibernian snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at Ibrox, courtesy of an injury‑time strike. The match began with Rangers appearing unsettled, allowing the Edinburgh side to take the lead early on. Josh Campbell converted a 12th‑minute penalty, awarded after VAR intervened on a foul by Vanja Dragojević on Jason Kerr, giving Hibs a 1-0 advantage.
Rangers dominated possession and piled up 25 attempts on goal, yet they could not find the back of the net until the 85th minute. A low cross from Djeidi Gassama was inadvertently turned into his own net by Hibs defender Miguel Chaiwa, levelling the score at 1-1. The drama was not over, however, as the home side launched a late corner that resulted in Callum Wright’s deflected effort finding the far corner, sealing a 2-1 victory for Hibs. The defeat proved a bitter pill for McInnes, who endured a miserable debut at Ibrox.
Adding to the disappointment, Rangers’ promising striker Youssef Chermiti was stretchered off after a severe collision that saw him tumble into the advertising boards. Chermiti, who had recently been the subject of a failed £22 million bid from Galatasaray—reportedly a club‑record offer—left the pitch in a medical trolley, further dimming Rangers’ prospects. In the wider league context, Celtic and St Mirren both sit on six points after two Premiership matches, leaving Rangers five points adrift and already in pursuit.
McInnes, now in his third game at the Ibrox hot seat, is still hunting that elusive first win. Key moments of the encounter included: - 12′ VAR review of the Dragojević‑Kerr challenge, resulting in a penalty awarded to Hibs. - 13′ Campbell calmly slots the spot‑kick, putting Hibs ahead.
- 25′ Chermiti appears to have scored, only for Miguel Chaiwa to clear the ball off the line with a spectacular defensive effort. - 37′ Chermiti suffers a nasty fall into the advertising boards, sustaining an injury that forces his removal from the field. - 62′ Lawrence Shankland’s effort strikes the crossbar after a deflection by goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
- 83′ Rangers finally equalise when Chaiwa inadvertently turns the ball into his own net. - 90+3′ In stoppage time, Hibs break forward and Wright’s shot finds the bottom corner, clinching the win. Post‑match, McInnes addressed Premier Sports, acknowledging his side’s inefficiency in the first half and their failure to play with sufficient forward intent.
He admitted the penalty decision felt soft and expressed surprise that the referee consulted the monitor for it. McInnes praised his players’ effort, noting the equaliser was deserved and that the team had moments of effectiveness when the ball reached their strikers.
He also highlighted the minor setbacks affecting the squad, emphasizing the need for resilience and stressing that the team was not as poor as critics suggested. The manager explained that fitness levels were still being built, and he was working to bring the squad back to full conditioning.
He recognized fan frustration, sharing their desire for victories and expressing his own disappointment. Hibs head coach David Gray reflected on his side’s performance, noting that Rangers applied intense pressure in the second half, testing Hibs’ character.
Gray praised the tactical substitution that injected fresh energy and a proactive mindset, preventing the team from simply sitting back under Rangers’ pressure. He lauded the contributions of the incoming players, stating that their impact helped develop the squad’s character. Gray highlighted midfielder Josh Mulligan’s suitability for this type of high‑intensity game and refrained from singling out any individual, emphasizing that the entire team performed admirably. He spoke about overcoming early adversity, acknowledging the constant demands and expectations placed on the club, and underscored the importance of unity.
Internally, Gray believes the team is in a strong position and that more positive results lie ahead. The match also featured a promotional element, inviting fans to participate in a "Super 6" competition with a chance to win £250,000, reinforcing the club’s engagement with its supporters. Overall, the encounter was a roller‑coaster of emotions, with Hibs capitalising on a late opportunity to upset Rangers, while McInnes remains under pressure to secure his first win.
The loss underscores the challenges Rangers face in the early stages of the Premiership campaign, as they strive to close the gap on the league leaders and restore confidence among their fanbase.