The defender, who moved for £3 million from Philadelphia Union, has received much acclaim for his performances.

Fortune, who also played for Atletico Madrid, 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."