South Africa boss Pitso Mosimane has praised Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya's 'mental capacity' after he impressed in the Old Firm double header.
And he's hinted he will hand Makhanya just his second full cap when the Bafana Bafana host Guinea in the African Cup of Nations qualifier in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Makhanya has won plenty of praise for his performances since he joined Rangers in the summer.
And he even thought he had scored in Sunday's 1-0 win against Celtic when a volley was ruled out for a handball in the second half.
The 22-year-old was ignored for South Africa's World Cup games despite being in their squad and Makhanya criticised previous manager Hugo Broos last week for his dismissal of the standard of the MLS - where the stopper used to play with Philadelphia Union.
Read more:
- Unseen moment Derek McInnes pulls Rangers star out of Celtic Park crowd
- The two longstanding Rangers players who are forming a vital part of McInnes' plan
- The Ross McCausland advice Rangers star Dan Neil took to gun down Celtic
And new manager Mosimane was impressed with Makhanya's performances for Dere McInnes' side in both of the games against Celtic.
He said: "If you understand and follow football properly, you will know that you don’t play the Glasgow derby if you don’t have the mental capacity.
"And that's before you even talk about the talent.
"It’s a big stage. He played it away there at the weekend and last week he was at home.
"I thought the goal he scored - a cracker - would be allowed, but unfortunately the ball hit his hand before it went in.
"So yes, he’s raising his hand to say, ‘I want to play too.'
"He saying, ‘I’m playing in Europe, I’m playing for a big team so I also deserve an opportunity.'"
