Hibernian secure late victory against Rangers at Ibrox
Hibernian claimed a late 2-1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox, extending Derek McInnes’ wait for his first win as Rangers manager. The result marks Hibernian’s third win at Ibrox in as many seasons, a historical achievement for the club.
The match saw Josh Campbell give Hibernian an early lead from a penalty in the 12th minute. The decision followed a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which led to Rangers’ new signing Vanja Dragojevic being penalised for holding Jason Kerr in the box after a Hibernian corner. Dragojevic, making his Ibrox debut, was also booked for the foul.
Rangers faced further challenges when striker Youssef Chermiti was forced off the pitch on a stretcher before half-time due to an injury. This occurred after Chermiti, for whom the club reportedly turned down a record bid, collided with an advertising board while attempting to keep the ball in play.
Despite these setbacks, Rangers pressed for an equaliser, and their efforts were rewarded in the 85th minute when Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa deflected a cross from substitute Djeidi Gassama into his own net. This own goal levelled the score, creating a scenario that initially seemed to deny Hibernian a victory.
However, Callum Wright secured the winning goal for Hibernian in the third minute of added time. His late breakaway goal sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors, leaving Rangers five points behind league leaders Celtic after just two games. Hibernian’s first league victory of the new season moved them up to seventh in the standings.
Managerial Reactions and Team Performance
Rangers head coach Derek McInnes expressed his frustration after the match, stating that his team was “guilty of passing up opportunities in the first half and not playing forward enough.” He also commented on the penalty decision, describing it as “very soft” and expressing surprise that the referee was called to the monitor for it. McInnes acknowledged the fan frustration, sharing their desire for a home win and the first victory of his tenure.
Hibernian head coach David Gray praised his team’s character, particularly after Rangers applied significant pressure in the second half. Gray highlighted the attacking substitution made to maintain an offensive mentality. He was delighted with the players’ performance, noting that the winning goal was a “brilliant moment” and that the team’s changes had built character. Gray also confirmed that there has been no contact regarding transfer speculation surrounding midfielder Josh Mulligan, despite reports of interest from Italian Serie A side Genoa.
Gray revealed that he had motivated his team before the match by referencing the opportunity to make history. He challenged the group to “recreate our own history,” noting that winning at Ibrox for the third consecutive season was an unprecedented achievement for Hibernian in their 151 years of existence. He attributed the success to the quality and belief within his squad, despite having to withstand immense pressure.
Upcoming European Fixtures
Both teams are now preparing for key European ties scheduled for Thursday. Rangers will host Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox, aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit in their Europa League qualifier. Meanwhile, Hibernian will travel to North Macedonia to face Shkendija, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg at Easter Road in the Conference League qualifiers.
The match at Ibrox saw new Rangers signings Daisuke Yokota and Vanja Dragojevic feature, though neither completed the full match, suggesting they may need more time to adapt. Hibernian’s victory marks their second win in their last three league visits to Rangers.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Nathan Crowley is the Sports News Writer at NewsUK, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from regional newspapers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Cardiff University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Cardiff, he plays amateur rugby and follows the Six Nations closely. “Speed and accuracy are not a trade-off in sport news.”
