Former Rangers defender Maurice Ross has tipped Olwethu Makhanya to reach the highest level of European football, believing the South African defender has the attributes to become a top-level centre-back.
Makhanya, 22, has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Rangers since making a €3.5-million transfer from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Philadelphia Union.
Ross, who previously represented Rangers, believes the South Africa international has the potential to make an even bigger impact, suggesting he could eventually earn a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Speaking on the SNN Sports Podcast, Ross identified Makhanya as the best signing Rangers have made under new head coach Derke McInees, suggesting he could follow a similar to path to former Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk
“Makhanya [is the best signing they made]. 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.
However, Ross believes Makhanya could potentially be an exception to that pathway, backing the former Stellenbosch FC defender to go straight to the top based on his natural qualities.
“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,” he added.
Ross also made a bold comparison with former France international centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong, who went on to join Newcastle United after leaving Ibrox in a mammoth €11.30-million transfer, over a decade ago.
“I think he’s better than Boumsong, who ended up at Newcastle,” he concluded.
With his development now attracting attention in Scotland, Makhanya will be looking to maintain his progress and establish himself as one of the standout young South African defenders making their mark in European football.