Olwethu Makhanya Backed For Liverpool Move As Former Rangers Star Makes Big Van Dijk Comparison

South African defender Olwethu Makhanya has received a major endorsement from former Rangers defender Maurice Ross, who believes the young centre-back has the qualities to reach the highest level of European football.

Makhanya has been attracting considerable attention following his impressive performances for Scottish giants Rangers, with his development already generating excitement among supporters and football observers.

The 22-year-old defender made the move to Ibrox from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union during the 2026 transfer window, signing a long-term contract as Rangers strengthened their defensive options.

Although moving to Scottish football represented a significant challenge, Makhanya has wasted little time demonstrating why the club invested in his services.

His physical strength, composure on the ball, defensive awareness and ability to build attacks from the back have made him an exciting prospect.

Ross, who previously represented Rangers, believes the South African has the potential to follow a similar career pathway to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

The former Scotland international used the Dutchman's journey through Scottish football as an example of how talented players can develop before making the move to Europe's biggest leagues.

Van Dijk previously played for Celtic before joining Southampton in the English Premier League in 2015. His performances at Southampton eventually earned him a high-profile move to Liverpool, where he became one of the world's leading defenders.

Ross believes that Makhanya could benefit from a similar progression rather than rushing into a transfer to one of Europe's biggest clubs.

“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,” Ross explained.

His assessment suggests that Rangers could become an important stepping stone in Makhanya's development, providing the young defender with the experience and exposure required to compete at an even higher level.

For South African football supporters, the comparison is particularly encouraging because Van Dijk's journey demonstrates how performing consistently in Scotland can open doors to the English Premier League.

Makhanya has already shown signs that he possesses the necessary qualities to follow an ambitious career path.

Before arriving at Rangers, the defender developed his game at Stellenbosch FC, where he attracted attention through his performances in the Premier Soccer League.

His progress eventually earned him a move to Philadelphia Union in the United States, where he gained valuable experience competing in Major League Soccer.

That experience proved important in preparing him for the demands of European football.

At Rangers, he has continued developing his defensive game while adapting to the physical intensity and expectations associated with playing for one of Scotland's biggest clubs.

His performances have also strengthened his reputation in South Africa, with Bafana Bafana benefiting from having another promising defender gaining experience abroad.

Source:

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