BBC Sportscene pundit says Rangers are facing another Alfredo Morelos situation.

Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya has already attracted considerable attention during the opening months of his career at Ibrox, with one former Gers player suggesting that the club could eventually face a situation similar to what happened with Alfredo Morelos.

The South Africa international joined Rangers during the summer transfer window after the club agreed a reported £3million deal with Philadelphia Union. His arrival formed part of a major rebuilding project under manager Derek McInnes, with Rangers bringing in 14 new players as they looked to strengthen their squad.

Despite being relatively new to Scottish football, Makhanya has quickly established himself as one of the more impressive additions to the Rangers squad. The 23-year-old has formed a promising defensive partnership with Emmanuel Fernandez, with the pair already showing signs of developing into a strong combination at the back.

Makhanya’s performances have naturally attracted attention, and reports have suggested that clubs from elsewhere in Europe are beginning to monitor his progress. That has led former Rangers defender Richard Foster to consider whether the club could eventually be forced to make an important decision about the defender’s future.

Makhanya already attracting attention

There have been suggestions that Rangers are not under any immediate pressure to sell Makhanya, and that position is understandable given his current contract situation.

The defender has a deal at Ibrox that runs until 2030, giving Rangers significant protection if interest in the player continues to grow. A long-term contract means the Scottish club would be in a strong negotiating position should potential suitors eventually make formal approaches.

Nevertheless, reports indicate that Makhanya has already attracted interest from clubs in Spain and Italy. There has also been reported attention from the Premier League, with Sunderland and Brentford said to have sent scouts to watch him during Rangers’ recent 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

That level of interest is notable considering how early Makhanya’s Rangers career remains.

Foster believes the situation could become much more significant if the defender maintains his current performances throughout the entire season. The former Rangers player, who represented the club between 2013 and 2015, also raised an interesting possibility regarding the way Makhanya’s growing reputation is being handled.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, BBC Sportscene pundit Foster suggested Rangers could potentially be encouraging interest in the player themselves.

Foster pointed out that modern recruitment increasingly relies heavily on data, meaning Makhanya’s performances are likely to be attracting attention through statistical analysis as well as traditional scouting.

The defender has several qualities that are likely to stand out in the numbers. His pace and physical strength are obvious assets, while his ability to contribute in possession also adds to his profile.

Rangers’ excellent results have further strengthened his reputation. The team have been winning regularly and have generally been difficult to break down, meaning Makhanya has benefited from playing in a side enjoying a strong run of form.

However, Foster also offered an important warning. He believes Makhanya has not yet faced enough adversity to determine exactly how good he can become.

The defender has impressed, but he has not yet been consistently tested against the highest level of opposition. Foster therefore believes that maintaining his performances for an entire campaign would provide a much clearer indication of his long-term potential.

Morelos comparison raises questions

Foster’s most interesting point was his comparison with former Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos.

Morelos became one of the most valuable and sought-after players at Ibrox during the peak of his Rangers career. His goalscoring performances attracted interest from clubs across Europe, with numerous teams reportedly considering moves for the Colombian.

Foster recalled the huge number of clubs that were linked with Morelos and suggested Rangers could potentially be attempting to create a similar level of interest around Makhanya.

Whether that is actually happening remains unclear, but the comparison is significant given Rangers’ history of player trading.

The club have previously faced criticism for failing to maximise opportunities to sell players when their market value was at its highest. Morelos remains one of the clearest examples, with Rangers having opportunities to potentially secure a substantial transfer fee during his time at Ibrox.

That history means supporters will naturally be watching Makhanya’s situation closely if his reputation continues to grow.

However, there is currently little reason for Rangers to rush into making a decision.

Rangers can afford to be patient

Makhanya has only recently arrived at Ibrox and remains just 23 years old. More importantly, his contract extends until 2030, meaning Rangers have considerable time on their side.

The club therefore have no obvious reason to consider selling him immediately, regardless of how much interest develops over the coming months.

Instead, Rangers’ priority should be helping Makhanya continue his development and ensuring they get the best possible performances from him.

His contribution could be particularly important if McInnes’ team maintains its challenge for the Scottish Premiership title. A dependable partnership between Makhanya and Fernandez could become one of the foundations of Rangers’ campaign.

The situation could look very different next summer, however.

If Makhanya continues performing at his current level and produces consistently strong displays throughout the season, interest from major clubs could become much more serious. At that point, Rangers could potentially face substantial offers for the defender.

That would be when the club would need to decide whether to keep a player who could be central to their ambitions or take advantage of a significant financial opportunity.

For now, though, there is no need for Rangers to repeat the mistakes of the past. Makhanya has barely begun his career at Ibrox, and his long-term contract gives the club plenty of control.

The best approach is likely to allow him to continue developing, maintain his form and see how the season unfolds. If major bids arrive at the end of the campaign, Rangers can then consider their options.

Until then, comparisons with Morelos should serve as a reminder rather than a reason for immediate action. Makhanya still has plenty to prove, but his promising start has already ensured that his progress will be closely watched.