Rangers’ New Era Off to a Nightmare Start as Hibernian Claim Vital Victory
Derek McInnes’s reign as Rangers manager began with a damaging 2-1 defeat at Ibrox, as Hibernian secured a crucial victory in the Scottish Premiership. The match was marred by an early injury to striker Youssef Chermiti, who was carried off on a stretcher, compounding a difficult afternoon for the home side. Hibs took the lead in the 12th minute through a Josh Campbell penalty, awarded after VAR intervened to spot a foul by debutant goalkeeper Vanja Dragojevic on Jason Kerr. The setback was compounded before the break when Chermiti, who had been the subject of a failed £22million bid from Galatasaray, was forced off with an injury, leaving Rangers to reshuffle their attack.
Despite a spirited second-half display, Rangers were unable to find an equalizer, with familiar profligacy in front of goal proving costly. Cyriel Dessers was again the main culprit, missing several clear chances as Hibs’ resolute defending frustrated the home side. The victory was well deserved for David Gray’s men, who showcased excellent defensive organization and resilience to deny Rangers any sustained foothold in the game. The result keeps Hibs in third place with six games remaining, boosting their hopes of securing European football next season.
For Rangers, this defeat marks a third consecutive away game without a win, raising concerns about their consistency. The ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ nature of their performances was evident once more, as they failed to replicate the intensity shown in their midweek European exploits. McInnes will need to address these issues quickly, especially with the injury to Chermiti potentially sidelining him for a crucial period. The pressure is already mounting on the new manager, and he will be desperate to turn things around in the coming fixtures.
This result is a significant blow for Rangers, but it also highlights the competitive nature of the Scottish Premiership. Hibernian’s triumph demonstrates their credentials as a top-three side, and they will take great confidence from this performance. As the season enters its final stretch, both teams will be aware that every point is vital, and this match could prove pivotal in the race for European places.
Shimanta Das 
