South African centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, named September’s player of the month in Scotland, is attracting interest from Brentford and Sunderland, according to Soccer Laduma and Football Insider. Rangers, who signed the player in summer 2026, are trying to resist these early approaches.
Arriving in summer 2026 from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Philadelphia Union, Olwethu Makhanya quickly caught the eye in the Scottish Premiership. The 22-year-old centre-back was named September’s player of the month in the Scottish top flight. That accolade is now drawing English glances: according to Soccer Laduma, Brentford and Sunderland have sent scouts to watch him in Scotland.
For now, the interest from the two Premier League clubs remains a rumour, reported by the British and South African press. The Rangers board are trying to resist these early approaches, only a few months after the player’s signing, as reported by The Herald.
A September to remember
Makhanya joined Scotland after his spell in MLS with Philadelphia Union. The Glasgow club are used to this recruitment model: buying young players to develop them and make a profit, recalls Goal.com South Africa. The centre-back is also a South Africa international with the Bafana Bafana, according to Soccer Laduma.
He was named September’s player of the month in the SPFL, according to Soccer Laduma. The award rewards a 22-year-old defender who is getting to know the Scottish league and whose name is now circulating beyond the Scottish Premiership.
Brentford and Sunderland on the prowl
According to Soccer Laduma, Brentford and Sunderland have sent scouts to watch Makhanya in Scotland. The two Premier League clubs are thus keeping a close eye on the South African defender, who only signed for Rangers a few months ago.
For Rangers, the situation is delicate. Mick Brown, formerly Manchester United’s chief scout, has warned the Scottish hierarchy about English financial power. “Rangers will always struggle to keep their players when Premier League clubs come calling. They obviously can’t compete financially with the offers on the table. If bids come in for their best players, it will be hard to convince them to stay for a lower wage,” he told Football Insider.
Those remarks underline the gap in resources between Scotland and England, a gap Rangers will have to take into account when facing English approaches.
A run of seven wins
On the pitch, Derek McInnes’s Rangers are stringing together wins. The manager has guided his team to a run of seven consecutive victories, after the 3-1 win against Kilmarnock, according to The Herald.
Rangers’ next Scottish Premiership match will be away to Dundee FC.