Rangers manager Derek McInnes insists Olwethu Makhanya deserves every bit of praise that has come his way after an impressive start to life at Ibrox. The 22-year-old South African international arrived in a £3million switch from MLS outfit Philadelphia Union and has quickly established himself as a standout at the heart of the Gers defence, forming a rock-solid partnership with Emmanuel Fernandez.
McInnes hails Makhanya's impact
Makhanya has already been tipped to earn the Light Blues a huge profit down the line, with McInnes hailing the centre-back's impact since arriving in Scotland. Speaking to Rangers TV, the gaffer said: "I think it's right for big Makha to get the acknowledgements he's had because he's dealt with everything that's come his way."
"I need to mention Manny as well because I do think Manny has been a good partner for him, and obviously getting that sort of understanding in partnerships normally takes a bit of time. But I think the two of them have worked extremely well. I think Makha coming from the MLS, a totally different type of football with the MLS when you watch it, it's very slow, very technical, very passive a lot of the time."
"Whereas you're into the blood and guts of Scottish football, and he's dealt with everything that's come his way. I think he's smooth on the ball, he's clean with what he does; he looks after players individually. One-vs-one, you would back him, so he's settled really well, but I think Manny has been a big part of that as well, and Dujon and James coming into the team has helped."
Praise for goalkeeper Ivor Pandur
McInnes has also been over the moon with £6m keeper Ivor Pandur, who has six shutouts in 13 games - including two Old Firm clean sheets. He said: "You mentioned the back four and my goalkeeper. I love, I just love Ivor. He's not had too much to do in recent weeks, but what he has done, we just feel as though we're alright with him, and I'm delighted at how he's settled into the team as well, and he's such a calming influence on the team."
Greedy challenge ahead
McInnes has urged his side to be "greedy" as they look to extend their six-game winning run after the international break. The Premier Sports Cup semi-finalists cut Celtic's lead at the top to just two points with a deserved 1-0 win at Parkhead. They return to action next weekend against Kilmarnock at Ibrox, with McInnes demanding they pick up exactly where they left off.
He said: "Yeah I think we probably look at these, I think up to the next international break, where we've got five league games and the semi-final. But obviously this little run now before the semi-final, four games, it needs our full attention, two at home, two away. We've just got to fully concentrate and try to get the best performance for us."
"I know if we can be as strong as we can be it can take the game away from certain teams and we've got to make it difficult for teams and we don't want to give teams too much encouragement by not being us at our best. So for us it's important that we try and strive for us to be at our best and hopefully we can come through these run of games with some big victories because that's the nature of it. We've moved on [from] the Celtic games, we're still on this winning run at the minute and I think we've got to be greedy and try to get this win and run going as long as possible."
