Just two games into the Scottish Premiership season, and the pressure cooker at Rangers is already boiling over. A damaging 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Ibrox has left manager Derek McInnes fighting fires, while a controversial VAR decision and a potentially devastating injury to star striker Youssef Chermiti only add to the mounting woes. The Gers now find themselves five points adrift of early pace-setters Celtic and St Mirren, leaving fans questioning the immediate future.
Key Takeaways from the Ibrox Showdown:
- Rangers are winless after two league matches, already trailing rivals by five points.
- Manager Derek McInnes remains defiant, urging calm despite fan unrest.
- A contentious VAR-awarded penalty put Hibernian ahead, drawing fire from McInnes.
- Crucial forward Youssef Chermiti suffered a worrying knee injury, requiring immediate scans.
Early Season Blues: McInnes Under Fire at Ibrox
The atmosphere at Ibrox is anything but serene. Following a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Hibernian, Rangers find themselves in an unwelcome early hole, with just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership fixtures. This puts them well behind Celtic and St Mirren, both sitting on a perfect six points.
Manager Derek McInnes, still searching for his first competitive win in charge, defiantly pushed back against the growing criticism. Speaking after the match, he insisted, "We're not as bad as some people will be saying at the minute. It's important that we just batten down the hatches, stay strong, stay together." His optimism for the long-term project remains, but fans demand immediate results.
VAR Fury: McInnes Blasts "Wrong Decision"
The turning point of the match for Rangers came with a highly controversial VAR decision. In the 11th minute, Hibernian were awarded a penalty after a review deemed Vanja Dragojevic fouled Jason Kerr, which Josh Campbell duly converted. This gave Hibs the lead and completely altered the game's dynamic.
McInnes was visibly furious with the officiating, believing his team was unjustly punished. "I think it was a wrong decision that made us go behind in the first place," he asserted. "I don't think it's a penalty kick. I don't think the referee should be brought over." Such calls are always magnified when points are slipping away.
Devastating Blow: Chermiti's Injury Rocks Rangers
Compounding the misery, Rangers suffered a potentially devastating blow just before half-time with an injury to star striker Youssef Chermiti. The forward, who netted 15 goals last season, is a pivotal figure in McInnes's attacking plans and was recently the subject of a rejected £22 million bid from Galatasaray. Rangers value him higher than the £19.6m received for Calvin Bassey in 2023, highlighting his immense importance.
A worried McInnes confirmed the severity of the situation, stating, "He'll get a scan tomorrow. He'll leave here today in a boot and a brace. It's a knee injury of some sort but I think it would be silly to speculate anything until we get the scan results tomorrow." Losing Chermiti for any significant period would be a monumental setback for the club's ambitions.
The Road Ahead: Can Rangers Weather the Storm?
With Chermiti's scan results anxiously awaited, Rangers must regroup swiftly. Derek McInnes faces the immediate challenge of securing his first competitive victory to prevent Celtic from extending their early Scottish Premiership advantage even further. The squad's resilience will be tested, and an immediate improvement in attacking cohesion is paramount as crucial cup and league fixtures loom.
