Bafana Bafana defender Olwethu Makhanya has been named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for September.
Makhanya, 22, has had a brilliant start to life in Scotland since joining the club from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union.
He has already featured in 11 games, immediately securing a starting XI spot in Derek McInnes’ squad.
After a little shaky start in the UEFA Europa League and Conference League qualifiers, where Rangers twice failed to reach the group stages, Rangers have slowly found their feet.
Having won their last five league games, keeping four clean sheets, after starting with a draw and a defeat, Makhanya has helped to stabilise Rangers’ defence.
With the last four games falling into September, Makhanya has now been named Scottish Premiership Player of the Month.
‘He has been brilliant’
His coach who has been named Manager of the Month, has hailed the adaptation Makhanya has undergone since joining a new league and club.
“For Makhanya to come in and work hard from the outset has been brilliant,” McInnes said.
“Adapting from the slower pace of the MLS to the higher pace/demanding which the league is and to get recognised with the player of the month award, is great to see.”
After beating eternal rivals Celtic 1-0 in the Old Firm Derby before the international break, Rangers cut their gap to the Premiership leaders to two points, sitting on 16 from seven games behind Celtic’s 18.