Derek McInnes insists that Rangers are "not as poor as some critics claim" even though his tenure at Ibrox has yet to produce a victory. The former Aberdeen manager endured a bruising first home match in charge when his side fell 2-1 to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, a game that also saw promising striker Youssef Chermiti stretchered off after a knee injury. With Celtic and St Mirren both sitting on six points after two fixtures, Rangers find themselves five points adrift and already in pursuit mode, desperate for McInnes to notch his inaugural win after three games in the hot seat. "We’re not as bad as some people are saying at the moment," McInnes told Sky Sports.
"The key now is to batten down the hatches, stay strong and stick together as a unit. We want to finish this window on a high note and we will work towards that." He added that the squad is still managing fitness levels, noting that several players are not yet at peak condition and need game time to regain full match sharpness.
The injury to Chermiti was a further setback. The 22‑year‑old forward, who arrived from Partizan Belgrade last summer for a fee that could rise to £10 million, has been linked with a record‑breaking £22 million bid from Galatasaray.
Rangers’ board, however, appear determined to retain him, valuing the striker above the £19.6 million they received for Calvin Bassey’s move to Ajax in 2023. Chermiti’s contribution last season – 15 goals and five assists across all competitions – underlines his importance to McInnes’s plans.
Speaking about the striker’s condition, McInnes said, "The club turned down that huge offer which shows how vital he is to us. He’ll have a scan tomorrow; right now it looks like a knee issue but we won’t speculate until we have the results. We hope it’s nothing serious because he’s a big part of our future." He also expressed optimism that Chermiti’s injury might not be severe, emphasizing the need for a positive medical report. The match itself offered a mixed bag of moments.
Hibs opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Josh Campbell converted a penalty after VAR flagged a foul on defender Jason Kerr by Vanja Dragojevic, who was making his first start for Rangers after signing from Partizan. McInnes felt the decision was harsh, stating, "I think it was a wrong call that put us behind early." Despite the early setback, McInnes highlighted several promising periods in the first half, though he admitted the play was occasionally sluggish. "There were decent spells, but at times the tempo was a bit pedestrian.
Hibs organised themselves well, forcing us to fight for space," he observed. The second half saw Rangers dominate possession and create chances, with the substitutes adding fresh impetus. McInnes believed his side were the superior team, even if the result did not reflect that. "We were the dominant side, we created more opportunities, and sometimes you don’t get the reward you deserve.
No one can tell me otherwise," he asserted. He also expressed disappointment at the manner of the second goal, which came from a slight deflection that beat Ivor for Hibs’ winner.
"Both goals were harsh on us. The penalty felt sudden, and the deflection was unlucky. It’s the sort of thing that tests your character – you have to dig deep and keep going," McInnes said.
Looking ahead, McInnes stressed the importance of resilience and unity. "We’ll keep pushing, we’re delighted with the effort the players showed, and we’ll continue to play the way we want to. The loss was tough, but it’s a learning curve," he concluded.
Beyond the immediate match, the manager reflected on the broader challenges facing Rangers. The club’s transfer strategy, particularly retaining key talents like Chermiti, will be pivotal as they aim to close the gap on the league leaders. McInnes hinted that the upcoming fixtures will test the squad’s depth and fitness, but he remains confident that the team can find rhythm and cohesion as the season progresses.
In summary, while the opening home defeat was a disappointment, McInnes’s message to fans and players alike is one of optimism and determination. He believes the side is better than the scoreline suggests, and with injuries being managed and key players retained, Rangers hope to turn the tide and climb the Premiership table in the weeks to come.