Rangers target Olwethu Makhanya was absent from Philadelphia Union training amid summer exit links.
Makhanya is on Rangers’ radar as Derek McInnes is keen on signing another centre-back in the coming weeks.
Ben Godfrey has already joined, but the Light Blues plan to bring in at least one more central defender before the window shuts.
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Olwethu Makhanya misses training due to ‘personal reasons’
Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey has reported that Makhanya is not available for the MLS side due to personal reasons.
Whenever players are sorting out their futures or angling for moves, they tend to take time away from first-team training at their respective clubs.
This is to ensure that they do not pick up any injuries, which would then jeopardise any transfer.
As things stand, Rangers have not opened talks with the 22-year-old, but that could happen any time if all parties are keen on the move.
How Derek McInnes can get the best out of Makhanya at Rangers
McInnes will look to unlock Makhanya’s potential at Indox by integrating the young South African centre-back into a structured, physically demanding system that plays to his core strengths while nurturing his development.
At 22, the centre-back stands at 1.85m with proven bravery, aerial dominance, strong tackling, and composure in a back four or three.
McInnes, fresh from guiding Hearts to second place with organised, competitive, and direct football, often in a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 system, thrives on building hard-to-beat units that excel in second balls, set pieces, and aggressive transitions.
The Gers boss may look to start by embedding Makhanya in a compact defensive block that rewards his physicality and positioning.
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Pairing him with experienced partners like Ben Godfrey and Emmanuel Fernandez would allow progressive carries and long balls, suiting Rangers’ need for direct outlets.
Regular starts in the Scottish Premiership would accelerate his growth, while McInnes’ emphasis on width and crosses would let Makhanya dominate aerially at both ends.
Set-piece routines could turn the defender into a goal threat, mirroring his game-winning contributions at Philadelphia Union.
It will be important to address the occasional discipline issues, which undoubtedly would refine Makhanya’s game.
By fostering quick transitions and aggressive pressing, McInnes can elevate the youngster into a commanding Rangers leader, blending his MLS-honed maturity with Scottish grit for domestic dominance and European impact.
This tailored approach could see the 22-year-old flourish as a cornerstone of McInnes’ revival project.
