Rangers Show Promise Under McInnes Following Strong Domestic Performance
Rangers have sparked optimism among their supporters under the management of Derek McInnes, especially with successful domestic results in response to a disappointing European campaign. Currently sitting second in the Premiership, Rangers have only conceded nine goals across 11 league matches, highlighting their defensive strength as a crucial element of their resurgence.
The team’s recent victory over Celtic, 3-0 in the League Cup quarter-final, followed by a narrow 1-0 win against their rivals in the league, has solidified McInnes’ position. Rangers continued their upward trajectory by defeating Aberdeen 1-0 on October 31, securing a spot in the League Cup final, keeping another domestic trophy within reach.
Olwethu Makhanya has emerged as a pivotal figure in this defensive strategy. The club acquired the 22-year-old South African from Philadelphia Union for £3 million. His versatility allows him to play both center-back and left-back, providing McInnes with essential flexibility. Standing at 6ft 2in, Makhanya combines aerial prowess with the composure necessary to initiate attacks from the back.
Throughout 900 Premiership minutes played this season, Makhanya has achieved a commendable FotMob rating of 7.55. He excels in aerial duels, winning nearly 70 percent, and boasts an 83 percent success rate in tackles. His late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Hearts on October 28 further illustrated his contributions beyond purely defensive duties.
His impressive form has drawn interest from outside the club, but Rangers are under no pressure to consider a sale. According to The Herald, club legend Ally McCoist has advised Makhanya to stay at Ibrox. In a discussion with talkSPORT Bet Online Casino, McCoist echoed Pat Nevin’s sentiments and encouraged the defender to continue his progress before contemplating a transfer.
“Pat Nevin generally talks an awful lot of sense, and he’s spot on here,” McCoist stated. “I don’t think Makhanya should be in any rush to go anywhere. He’s had a very good start, though the weekend was maybe a little reminder that you don’t get any easy games and you’re a target.”
McCoist emphasized that the current priority for Rangers should be winning every domestic trophy possible, particularly focusing on the league title.
Rangers face the dilemma of whether to reject potential January bids for Makhanya. As McInnes has cultivated a solid defensive partnership around Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez, along with support from John Souttar and loan signing Ben Godfrey, selling a crucial defender during a title challenge would complicate their prospects.
With Makhanya’s contract extending until 2030, Rangers find themselves in a strong negotiating position, facing no immediate urgency to sell. While the initial £3 million investment could lead to significant returns, parting ways with Makhanya now would jeopardize their defensive stability and potential for silverware in a pivotal season. The club will need its best defenders available as they pursue crucial trophies.
