Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya prepared for 'really crazy' Old Firm atmosphere

Olwethu Makhanya is expecting a “really, really crazy” atmosphere when he experiences the Rangers vs Celtic Old Firm rivalry for the first time on Sunday.

The South African defender has already tasted derby football during his time in Major League Soccer, featuring in ‘derbies’ against New York City FC for Philadelphia Union.

But nothing he has experienced so far can fully prepare him for his first Old Firm at Ibrox.

Makhanya joined Rangers from the Union and has made an impressive start to life in Scotland, quickly settling into Derek McInnes' defensive unit.

Now he is preparing for his biggest test yet as Rangers host Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter final.

'I'm really excited'

The 22-year-old knows exactly what the fixture means to Rangers and their supporters, despite never having experienced it himself.

“I think everyone understands what this fixture means to the club, to the fans and everyone. I'm really excited and looking forward to it,” he said.

“There's been a lot of talking about the fixture, but the history of the derby and all that, but I don't really look into all that.

“I just know that it's going to be a very passionate game and I'm just excited to be part of it.”

Makhanya's New York derby experience

The Rangers defender is not completely new to the demands of a major city rivalry.

During his time in MLS, Makhanya played against New York City FC in the MLS, with a great rivalry between the two American citires.

He has featured in two of those matches, although his record makes for mixed reading.

“Yeah, I've played in the Derby against New York City,” he revealed.

“The ones that I've played in, I've only played two, lost one, drew one, so it was a difficult atmosphere.”

He will be hoping for a very different outcome when Celtic arrive at Ibrox.

The experience has at least given Makhanya an understanding of the intensity that can surround a local rivalry, although he knows the Old Firm represents an entirely different challenge.

'Really, really crazy'

Makhanya admitted he could not recall playing in an atmosphere quite like the one he expects on Sunday.

“I think the biggest atmosphere I've played in... I can't really recall, like, a massive game, but I'm honestly expecting a really, really crazy game, you know, from the fans, from the first to the last one,” he admitted.

“We just have to try and do our job and deliver, because we know that the fans are going to be behind us.

“So, we're going to use them as an encouragement, you know, and also understand that we're also doing it for them.

Rangers finding belief

Makhanya's arrival has coincided with an improvement in Rangers' defensive performances.

The young defender believes the group is developing a strong understanding, particularly alongside Emmanuel Fernandez and the rest of the defensive unit.

“I feel defensively there's a very good partnership, you know, between me and Fernandez and James [Penrice] on the left and obviously Dujon [Sterling].

“I feel like there's a lot of understanding and the guys have, like, you know, worked on me very well. So, it makes it easy for me to be part of the group.”

Rangers have also won their last four matches, with Wednesday's 1-0 victory over St Mirren secured by Bojan Miovski's dramatic late winner.

Makhanya believes that result demonstrated the mentality developing within McInnes' squad.

“Looking at last night's game, I think it does highlight the fact that maybe the group is strong mentally,” he explained.

“Even though we created chances, we couldn't take them, but we just kept on going until we scored in the last minutes of the game. So that shows a lot of mentality and character from the boys.

“It's going to be very important, you know, to stay together, even the guys that are starting and the guys that are not starting.

“The changes, the guys coming in, helping us. I think it showed a lot of togetherness and it's something that we've been working on, even off the field, spending time together, getting to understand one another.”

Makhanya has already experienced the intensity of a major derby during his time in America.

But on Sunday, the Philadelphia Union recruit will discover what the Old Firm is really like when Celtic arrive at Ibrox.