Olwethu Makhanya has heard the cry of the vuvuzelas in Stellenbosch. He has sampled the white heat of Mexico City’s Azteca on a World Cup opening night. But neither compared to Glasgow’s Old Firm derby with the Ibrox ground shaking beneath his feet.
‘It was incredible. I have never been involved in a crazier atmosphere in football,’ laughs the Rangers centre-back. ‘At one point, when we scored, I swear I felt the ground vibrating under my feet.
‘I was on the bench at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico for the opening game of the World Cup with South Africa and that was loud but this passion, this noise, no.
‘When we were celebrating in the corner after the goals, we were saying to each other “can you believe this noise?”
‘It was surreal without away fans there but in the changing room afterwards, we were all just so charged, so excited.’
Of course, playing and winning a home derby when only Rangers fans are allowed in is one thing, the acid test for Makhanya and Co will come in the cauldron of Parkhead on Sunday when 60,000 Celtic supporters will be screaming for revenge.
Rangers defender Makhanya impressed on his Old Firm debut, winning 3-0 against Celtic
Makhanya insists the Ibrox atmosphere trumped the World Cup opener at the Azteca
‘The league cup win means we will be feeling pretty confident but that doesn’t mean we are expecting an easy game on Sunday,’ says Makhanya. ‘It’s going to be a big occasion. I’m sure their fans will let us know they are there, but it is all about finding the right mental space: trying to be calm and controlled.’
Many who have trod a similar path will testify that is easier said than done but, so far, 22-year-old Makhanya’s chilled demeanour suggests he has the makings of someone who embraces the demands of playing in Rangers’ defence.
‘There is a lot of expectation here. Rangers is a really big club with a great history for winning trophies. The expectation is something I have never experienced before but it’s what I have wanted, to be at a club like this.
‘The fans are so passionate. They are demanding success and they let you know when you are not delivering, although I am still getting used to the Glaswegian accents. Some are certainly stronger than others. I can understand Derek McInnes though, that’s the important one.’
Indeed, McInnes, with his Paisley brogue, has certainly helped Makhanya adapt to Glasgow culture.
‘He’s not only a great coach but a great human. He invests a lot of time in us individually, not just with analysis work but general conversation. He understands how important it is for us to feel settled here.’
In Makhanya’s case there have been some testing circumstances.
Three days prior to making his ‘dream move’ to Rangers, for £3million from Philadelphia Union, Makhanya’s girlfriend gave birth to their first baby boy.
They are still working to get the relevant clearance on paperwork so, for now, his new family remain in South Africa.
‘It was a really big week for me,’ Makhanya professes with understatement. ‘Moving to Europe to sign for a club like Rangers has always been my dream. I knew it was happening and then my son arrived at the same time. He already has the complete strip!’
Makhanya was put up in the same hotel as Rangers’ other new arrivals, Serbian midfielder Vanja Dragojevic and Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota.
‘We were in the same hotel together, travelled to training together, lunched together and travel to matchdays together, so I’m particularly close to those guys. We have formed a close bond. It’s a really good group and we have Kevin (Kelsy) too. He talks a lot! He’s a very funny guy. He’s probably the joker in the group.’
Unpretentious and easy company Makhanya may be, but it is clear he is serious about making this career move a success.
His drive, he believes, has been inherited from his mother.
Makhanya celebrates Rangers’ 3-0 win with team-mate Findlay Curtis
Zodwa Makhanya was a street vendor on the industrial estate of Isipingo, 12 miles south of Durban where her family resided.
The money she earned helped cover the rent and food for her son as he fought to be recognised, going for trials at Kaiser Chiefs, the club they supported, and others before he got his break with Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, 1,000 miles from home, in South Africa’s wine country.
‘My mum is my biggest inspiration,’ admits Makhanya. ‘We never had a lot but, for many, sport is a way out to a better life. Mum worked hard selling on the streets. That’s not easy but when I left home to try and succeed, she would send me money for rent, for food. I made a promise then that I would make it and pay her back.’
He was barely at Stellenbosch a season, picking up the promising player of the year award as an 18-year-old, before MLS side Philadelphia Union bought him.
A new country, a new challenge. All seemed exciting but coach Jim Curtin clearly didn’t share the club’s vision. He ostracised Makhanya, pushing him to train with the club’s youngsters.
Only when fellow South African Bradley Carnell took over as coach did matters change. It’s a relationship that remains strong to this day.
‘It was my first time in a different country and my biggest challenge. It was the first time I ever had the feeling that I was not important and I didn’t know how to deal with it. Luckily, I had good people around me. Now I am stronger for it.
‘When coach Bradley came in it was really important that he believed in me. We talked about things on and off the pitch. Coming from South Africa he knew my story. We still speak to this day.’
Together with Philadelphia they won the Supporters’ Shield last year. That trophy-winning experience is what he wants to replicate at Rangers.
‘I will give everything to win trophies for Rangers. That is my focus,’ he says. ‘It will mean a lot.
Makhanya will face up to Nygren and Co again on Sunday at Celtic Park
‘I know I can’t always be the best player every game, but I always promise I won’t be outworked. I will give everything for the badge. I want the fans to recognise me as a defender who can be composed but who always gives 100 per cent.’
His displays so far promise much and have also drawn praise from a former Ibrox great, Richard Gough.
The ex-Rangers captain, who also grew up in South Africa, reached out to Makhanya on social media and the two plan to talk again this weekend.
‘It’s very early days but Makha is lean, strong, and has looked comfortable,’ says Gough. ‘But the acid test will come on Sunday. This is where a Rangers player forges a reputation, playing well at Parkhead.
‘I always said to my team, let’s keep 11 players on the park and stay together. Under such pressure, it’s very easy to get sent off. His job is to stay cool, calm and connected.
‘I can see the green shoots of recovery. Rangers need to go toe to toe for trophies with Celtic again.’
Gough, who has 18 winners’ medals from his years in blue, will be tuning in at 4am to watch Sunday’s game from his home in California having imbued in Makhanya what is required.
‘Getting advice and recognition from a legend like Richard Gough is fantastic,’ says Makhanya. ‘Honestly, I will give everything for this club. It meant a lot for me to get this move, and I want to pay them back for putting trust in me.’
You sense that’s not just noise.
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