{
  "id": 11231643,
  "title": "'Phenomenal' Rangers duo hailed as early-season standouts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/phenomenal-rangers-duo-hailed-as-early-season-standouts",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:13:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/phenomenal-rangers-duo-hailed-early-161320466.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The early Scottish Premiership season has seen two Rangers players stand out, according to Scottish sports editor Mark Atkinson on the BBC Scottish Football Podcast. Atkinson praised centre-half Olwethu Makhanya, who joined the club from the MLS. Atkinson remarked that he has been impressed by Makhanya's improvement game after game. The young defender has displayed all the necessary attributes for a modern centre-half, including speed, intelligence, and positional awareness. Atkinson particularly highlighted Makhanya's ability to adapt to various roles within the back line, as demonstrated in Rangers' match against Celtic. Former Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell also commended another Ibrox player, James Penrice. Bell noted that Penrice, who has played centre midfield against Celtic, has been exceptional since joining the club. The Scotland international praised Penrice's handling of the pressure associated with joining the Old Firm.",
  "summary": "The domestic season may only be a couple of months old but it's never too early to start talking about the outstanding players. With seven rounds of Scottish Premiership fixtures played and up to the quarter-finals of the League Cup done and dusted, the topic of standout performers came up on Thursday's BBC Scottish Football Podcast.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}