Rangers told to make '£20m' Olwethu Makhanya move

Rangers should already be planning to offer a new contract to centre-back Olwethu Makhanya despite him only joining the club at the end of July.

That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Gers need to take the "gamble" of extending his existing four-year deal as far as possible.

The Glasgow giants secured the 22-year-old's signature from Philadelphia Union in a £3million deal, and he has quickly emerged as a new hero at Ibrox.

Wyness made it clear that Rangers cannot get away from the fact that they will have to sell Makhanya at some stage, but feels that they are undoubtedly heading towards a "£20million" valuation.

The South African international has played every single minute of Scottish Premiership action, after joining following the opening game of the league season.

Supporters are already in love with his combative displays, and he elevated his reputation even further with two commanding performances in the back-to-back wins over Celtic in recent weeks.

Rangers to guard against Olwethu Makhanya's agent

Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Rangers must do everything they can to avoid Makhanya's agent "getting in his ear" about a move.

The Scottish businessman feels that an "extended contract" would help the Glasgow giants to ensure they get a fair valuation for their star, rather than potentially losing him prematurely.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that a new deal could be the difference between an £8m and a £20m sale in future.

"He's made a very positive start, and I think he's got all that look about him, but from Rangers' point of view, they should extend his contract now," he said.

"I know it's early days and he's only had a couple of games, but let's get it in there now because they're going to be trying to sell him; there's no doubt at some stage, because that's the model that they've got.

"But they can't afford to sell him badly, if you know what I mean. And so they should get that contract extended now. That could make the difference between getting £8m or up to £20m. 

"Rangers should be considering it right now. Once you've got a young talent, you've got to put a bit of a gamble on it and do it. I think you've got to act quickly; otherwise, he'll get spotted and before you know it, the agents will be in his ear.

"That's what Rangers and Celtic have got to try and do is get into these higher-volume trading models and get that talent in and become a bit of a conveyor belt. They've got to give themselves leverage in terms of any negotiation, which means an extended contract."

Rangers 'evaluating' Connor Barron recall

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Rangers will "evaluate" the future of midfielder Connor Barron in the lead-up to the January window.

The 24-year-old has been loaned out to English Championship side Middlesbrough, but is yet to make a single appearance for his new club.

Sources say that Rangers are prepared to recall Barron if his gametime doesn't improve, and loan him elsewhere for the second half of the season.

The former Aberdeen man is under contract at Ibrox until the summer of 2028, but it is expected to be difficult for him to get back into Derek McInnes' plans.