Rangers’ £3m defender praised by ex‑Man United star as signing looms

Under the floodlights at Ibrox, Olwethu Makhanya lifted his head after a clean‑sheet League Cup semi‑final, prompting former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid forward Quinton Fortune to hail the £3 million defender as a superb acquisition – but fans and the board still wonder if another signing is needed.

New manager and early setbacks

Derek McInnes took charge at Ibrox in June after a summer overhaul that brought a new manager and heavy investment in defence. August threatened early optimism. Rangers exited the Europa League qualifiers, and doubts arrived almost immediately. The response has been emphatic and consistent.

McInnes has built a run since that exit, placing the club firmly in the Scottish Premiership title race this autumn. It includes a 1‑0 away win over Celtic in the Old Firm derby. A 1‑0 semi‑final victory against Aberdeen sent the Gers into the League Cup final against Hibernian. The defence anchors that recovery.

Defensive signings fuel resurgence

McInnes treats his centre‑backs as the foundation of structural security, demanding disciplined lines that absorb pressure before launching transitions cleanly. The summer business added Emmanuel Fernandez and one other new centre‑back to Ben Godfrey and John Souttar. The new pairing kept a clean sheet in the League Cup semi‑final. One of them won the September SPFL Player of the Month award.

The award went to Olwethu Makhanya, the South African defender who joined from MLS side Philadelphia Union for £3 million. Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid player Quinton Fortune has praised the deal, according to the Glasgow Times via Yahoo Sports. Fortune watched Makhanya in MLS and calls the switch a great move. He respects MLS but argues “European football is just a bigger stage”.

He called the Old Firm football at its most pressurised, and sees the transfer helping South African football reach the next level. Makhanya has recorded 26 aerial duels won, 14 tackles and 11 interceptions so far. His relative inexperience at top European level and a high 637‑pass volume carry some risk against aggressive pressing. His solidity also frees full‑backs such as James Penrice to push high and stretch opponents.

Olwethu Makhanya of Rangers was seen during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Glasgow Rangers and St. Mirren at Ibrox Stadium on September 09, 2026. The Fernandez‑Makhanya pairing has built elite chemistry. The back line producing title‑challenging form needs protection, not tinkering.

The real winter threat is fatigue and injury, so managing minutes matters more than adding bodies. Ben Godfrey and John Souttar give McInnes credible rotation options.

Another new signing would disturb squad harmony, bloat the wage bill and stunt the development of a £3 million investment still showing its ceiling. A title push rewards continuity. The board should spend its resources locking down permanent deals for key loanees rather than changing a working defence.