Olwethu Makhanya attracts European interest after strong Rangers start

Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya has made an immediate impact at Ibrox, forming a successful defensive partnership with Emmanuel Fernandez. The 22-year-old South African center-back joined the club from Philadelphia Union in a £3 million deal and has quickly adapted to the physical and tactical demands of Scottish football.

Fernandez praised Makhanya’s quality, noting that the duo has helped tighten the team's defense, contributing to a run of four consecutive wins and a clean sheet in a recent 1-0 victory against Celtic. While Makhanya has started six Premiership matches this season, Fernandez expects the defender's understanding of the league to continue growing with experience.

Makhanya’s rapid ascent has attracted interest from clubs across Europe’s top five leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. While no formal bids have been made and a January departure is considered unlikely, scouts are monitoring his progress for potential moves next summer.