The defender has won plenty of plaudits after a fine start to his Ibrox career following his £3 million summer move from MLS side Philadelphia Union.

And former Old Trafford and Atletico Madrid star Fortune believes Makhanya has flourished since his switch to Rangers. He said: "I watched Olwethu Makhanya a little bit when he was in MLS before and his transfer to Rangers has been a great move for him.

"It is unbelievable that he is able to play for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. But that's what he had to do - go up another level.

"The MLS, with all due respect, is a great league, but European football is just a bigger stage. He will improve there at Rangers and he has already played in the Old Firm match.

"I mean, you couldn’t ask for a better experience in football. The Old Firm is football at its most pressurised.

"Getting a move like this is all part of the process that will ultimately help to take South African football up to the next level."