Rangers were beaten 2-1 by Hibernian at Ibrox in a match overshadowed by a controversial VAR penalty decision and injury concerns over Youssef Chermiti
A lunar eclipse is approaching this week.
Yet at Ibrox, anxieties are mounting once more that they face another campaign living in Celtic’s considerable shadow.
Just three matches into the club’s latest new chapter and Rangers supporters are still awaiting Derek McInnes’ promised revival to materialise.
What should have been a match made in heaven with the former Ibrox favourite taking the manager’s position has thus far been clouded in uncertainty.
And unless circumstances align swiftly to deliver the offensive reinforcements he desperately requires, Rangers can abandon any ambitions of halting Martin O’Neill’s revitalised Hoops, reports the Daily Record.
Celtic’s confidence returned emphatically at Rugby Park.
Rangers, by contrast, continue stumbling about trying to identify their strongest XI.
David Gray’s Hibs arrived under pressure themselves following their disappointing opening to the campaign.
However, this proved precisely the tonic they needed as a contentious Josh Campbell spot-kick and Callum Wright’s dramatic late strike extinguished a Rangers comeback after Miguel Chaiwa’s own goal.
Precious few inside Ibrox could fathom why Hibs had been granted a 10th-minute penalty – even after glimpsing replays on their mobile devices.
Fresh Serbian acquisition Vanja Dragojevic – making his maiden start in an unaccustomed right-back position – appeared bewildered as referee Don Robertson was directed to the monitor to review his clash with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece. At most, it appeared generous, yet referee Robertson alongside VAR official Matt MacDermid deemed the infringement worthy of awarding a penalty.
Campbell seized the opportunity without hesitation, calmly converting the opening goal.
Despite considerable time remaining, Ibrox’s recent history meant supporters couldn’t stay composed, with anxiety quickly engulfing the stadium.
Opportunities arose for Rangers to equalise, though their finishing let them down repeatedly in crucial attacking areas.
The away side’s determination to hold onto their advantage only intensified the home crowd’s growing exasperation.
Shankland nearly scored when his strike rattled the woodwork, but Rangers eventually found parity with just four minutes remaining.
A catastrophic defensive pass from Felix Passlack was intercepted by Thelo Aasgaard, before Djeidi Gassama’s delivery was turned into his own goal by Chaiwa.
It looked like a frantic finale was brewing in added time. Yet it was Hibs who broke forward, with Passlack setting up Wright whose strike took a deflection off Tuur Rommens before nestling in the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst the travelling faithful.
Here’s five talking points from Ibrox Stadium:.
McInnes’ Rangers’ recipe still missing vital ingredient
While still in the early stages, what has become apparent is that McInnes continues to search for his ideal starting line-up. After rotating five players from the season’s opening fixture at Tannadice for Thursday’s Europa League encounter in Poland, McInnes was back at it again with a further six alterations for this match.
The substitutions persisted at the interval as Dragojevic became the sixth player across just three fixtures to be withdrawn at the break – yet all this shuffling has produced thus far is a side appearing fragmented and lacking in confidence.
The Ibrox boss has made it plain he’s still seeking to bolster his attacking options before the transfer deadline – with negotiations for Couhaib Driouech ongoing.
Meanwhile, he must extract performances from the offensive players at his disposal. Should he fail to do so promptly, he may discover the title race has already reached its conclusion.
VAR sends Del demented again
Scotland’s VAR controversy reached unprecedented levels last season. Just two matches into the current campaign, it appears we’re set for another twelve months of heated debate and frustration.
McInnes is already serving a three-match suspension following the “disgusting” tirade he delivered last term criticising officiating standards during Hearts’ championship challenge.
And he has legitimate grounds to feel equally hard done by after witnessing referee Don Robertson and VAR official Matt MacDermid collaborate to award Hibs their disputed penalty which opened the scoring.
Dragojevic was culpable of being caught in an awkward position while grappling with Jason Kerr at a Hibs set-piece, though both players had their arms raised in a tussle that involved minimal contact. The match officials, nonetheless, judged there to be sufficient contact to grant the penalty, which Campbell confidently converted.
The Ibrox crowd responded with fury – while McInnes appeared equally shocked by the decision.
Choked up Chermiti
Prior to kick-off, reports emerged that Rangers had rejected what would represent a club-record £22million bid from Galatasaray for Youssef Chermiti.
The decision was made in anticipation that the Turkish club would come back with an improved offer.
However, those hopes now appear uncertain following a distressing incident just before the interval, which saw the 22-year-old Portuguese forward stretchered from the field.
The ex-Everton player committed fully to a tackle with Megwa but was clearly in considerable pain from the resulting injury, leaving the pitch with his face concealed.
Should this result in an extended absence, it will fall to Ibrox executives Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe – both present ahead of Monday’s shareholder summit – to clarify how they intend to finance a replacement.
Forging a fortress
Earlier this week, McInnes challenged his side to put opponents “under greater stress” at Ibrox, having observed from afar how Rangers sides have frequently struggled with home expectations in recent campaigns.
In fairness, he couldn’t have selected better opposition to begin strengthening Ibrox’s reputation as a difficult venue.
Across his previous 17 home fixtures managing St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Killie and Hearts, the new Rangers manager had maintained an unbeaten record against the Edinburgh outfit. Yet Gray’s team showed no signs of intimidation, displaying the same composure they had when securing victory here against Danny Rohl’s Rangers in May, snatching another dramatic late winner just as they had on that occasion.
The growing unease at Ibrox isn’t doing the Light Blues any favours, with much of the discontent from the terraces filtering down to the players. However, the only remedy for that is to begin collecting victories.
Hibs’ hounds have their day
Two lacklustre Europa League performances sandwiched between their home defeat to Motherwell had intensified the scrutiny on Gray.
However, he’ll take immense pride in how his players threw themselves into the battle.
The number of crucial blocks was impossible to tally, but Megwa, Kerr and Adam Mayor all warrant recognition for their valiant efforts as Rangers mounted wave after wave of attacks.
Wright’s clinical strike was the perfect culmination of a well-earned triumph.


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