The numbers behind Makhanya's strong Rangers start

Olwethu Makhanya has arguably been Rangers' standout signing of a busy summer. Having missed the Scottish Premiership opening 1-1 draw with Dundee United and Rangers' first European fixture, the South Africa defender has quickly become indispensable, playing every minute of every game since. In those 10 fixtures, Rangers have kept five clean sheets, including in each of their past three games. Across his five league appearances, former Philadelphia Union player Makhanya has won possession 27 times - the most of any Rangers player - and made 20 clearances, four blocks and five interceptions. The 22-year-old has won four of his five tackles and ranks third for aerial duels won - 13 of 24 - while there is room for improvement in his 23 of 43 duels won. He is also comfortable on the ball, with the second-most carries in the Rangers squad behind defensive partner Emmanuel Fernandez, and four successful dribbles. Makhanya has contributed in attack too, creating four chances. Against Celtic in last Sunday's 3-0 League Cup win over Celtic, he drew plaudits for his marking of Camilo Duran, who came into the game in form after six goals and three assists. Makhanya and Fernandez had been the central two of a back four in the previous games but, against Celtic, the South African was left of a back three with Fernandez playing centrally and Dujon Sterling on the right. Whether that is repeated in this Sunday's Premiership trip to champions Celtic will be interesting but Rangers and manager Derek McInnes are unlikely to change too much after a comfortable win. "Our back three really were so strong in what they were doing," said McInnes afterwards. "We asked a lot of them today and we had to play with a bit of risk and reward." Former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands was in attendance at Ibrox and said of McInnes on BBC Radio Scotland: "Inside, he knows he pulled a masterstroke. "He'll have something up his sleeve, I'm sure he will. If they're going to play the same way and Celtic know they're going to play that way and prepare for that to happen, they'll have something to change and McInnes needs to be able to change again. "I cannot wait to see what's going to happen."