We’re not quite sure what has happened to Olwethu Makhanya. But abundantly clearly, he has not been on his game since he came back from the international break.

Against Kilmarnock, Makhanya managed to look a little bit off the pace and in the second half especially, the visitors got the better of him once or twice, to say the least. And at Dens Park, he really struggled alongside the absolutely hapless Emmanuel Fernandez, who we referred to in a separate entry. The recent Olwethu Makhanya form has certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Olwethu Makhanya Form

He had obviously been outstanding in the international break with South Africa and he had been exemplary since Motherwell. He was titanic in both Celtic matches. This had elevated him to imperious and unstoppable during the international break, where he had become, at long last, the player for the national side that he clearly believed he should be.

But since returning, we have not seen the Olwethu Makhanya who left for South Africa’s three match break.

This is not to turn on him. The talent that he has and the power and strength he possesses are clear. But we are not seeing the same Makhanya since he returned from that break as the one who left.

A Difficult Return From International Duty

Against Kilmarnock, as we said, he was definitely not quite at the races and we have to admit that against Dundee, he was downright poor.

We do not understand why Derek McInnes plays Makhanya on the left and Fernandez on the right when both have the alternative preferred foot. It does not seem to quite work for us.

It has worked defensively because Rangers have been conceding few goals, but the mess at Dens Park has changed the picture a bit.

Defensive Problems At Dens Park

This was not a good night for Rangers and Makhanya certainly suffered from a bad setup and indeed his own performance just not being up to scratch.

We do love Makhanya and we can tell how good he is going to be in time, but just at the moment, he is hitting his first little lull as a Rangers player and has not been sparkling in the last two matches.

The Olwethu Makhanya form that made him such an outstanding performer against Celtic has simply not been there since he returned from international duty.

Olwethu Makhanya Quality

Let’s hope this does not continue because we need this boy at his best, showing us how effortless defending actually is.

At his best, he is an absolutely outstanding stopper. Sadly, he just has not been that in the last two fixtures.