Makhanya can become a top European defender, says former Rangers player Ross

Former Rangers defender Maurice Ross believes Olwethu Makhanya has the ability to reach the highest level of European football and develop into an elite centre-back.

The 22-year-old South Africa international has made an impressive start since joining Rangers from Major League Soccer (MLS) club Philadelphia Union in a €3.5-million transfer.

Ross, who previously played for Rangers, has identified Makhanya as the club’s best signing since the appointment of new head coach Derke McInees. He also believes the defender could eventually secure a move to one of Europe’s leading clubs.

Speaking on theSNN Sports Podcast, Ross compared Makhanya’s potential career progression with that of former Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.

“When you do well at a Rangers or Celtic at that level, like [Virgil] Van Dijk, you have to have an intermediate move to then crack on at the big moves, like Liverpool etc,” he said.

Van Dijk moved from Celtic to Southampton before joining Liverpool, where he established himself as one of Europe’s leading defenders. Ross suggested Makhanya could follow a similar route, although he also believes the South African may be capable of bypassing that intermediate step.

“I think Makhanya has it in him, I think he can go straight to the top. He’s just athletic, calm on the ball, he likes to defend, he loves to be a defender,” Ross added.

The former Rangers player also compared Makhanya with former France international centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong, who left Ibrox for Newcastle United in a €11.30-million transfer more than a decade ago.

“I think he’s better than Boumsong, who ended up at Newcastle,” Ross said.

Makhanya began his professional career with Stellenbosch FC before moving to Philadelphia Union. His early performances at Rangers have now drawn attention in Scotland, with Ross convinced the defender possesses the physical qualities, composure and defensive instincts required to progress rapidly.

Rangers paid €3.5-million for the player, and Ross believes that investment could eventually lead to a much bigger move if Makhanya continues to develop at the same rate.

For now, Makhanya’s focus will be on sustaining his strong start at Rangers and establishing himself among the leading young South African defenders playing in European football.