How James Penrice and Rangers teammate have been included in 'daft' POTY shout already

Rangers' summer signings Olwethu Makhanya and James Penrice have impressed so far at Ibrox.

The Bears were in need of defensive additions this summer, as several players departed following their respective loan moves last term.

The likes of Jayden Meghoma, Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga all left the Bears, who, for different reasons, didn't re-sign any of the trio.

Makhanya was brought to Govan from the MLS, as the 49ers spent £3million to secure the South African's services.

Penrice was brought in on an initial loan deal from Greek side AEK Athens, but there is also an option for the Light Blues to purchase the full-back permanently.

Both players have started well under Derek McInnes, as the Rangers duo have already been involved in the conversation for the Player of the Year award in the Scottish Premiership.

Olwethu Makhanya, James Penrice and Celtic player in 'daft' POTY shout

Makhanya and Penrice have both established themselves as regular starters for McInnes, with the latter currently keeping the impressive Tuur Rommens out of the team.

While there is still healthy competition at the left-back spot, Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez have formed a formidable centre-back pairing that will not be broken up by Ben Godfrey anytime soon.

Makhanya won the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month award for September, and like Penrice, is in peoples' thoughts for the Player of the Year accolade already.

That's because Charlie Mulgrew name-dropped the pair after being asked to pick three players for the award while speaking on The Breakdown.

Kevin Thomson said: "Pick three players now on a shortlist for Player of the Year."

Mulgrew replied: "Oh, early with that. [Camilo] Duran, Makhanya and Penrice."

Thomson jokingly responded: "So there are more Rangers players in there than Celtic? I'm glad you said that [laughs]. I love it.

"You can argue that it's daft because they [Celtic] are now four points clear."

Many Rangers fans would say that neither player has put a foot wrong for the Bears.

Mulgrew has also been speaking about Rangers in general, making a bold claim about Old Firm fixtures.

Why Mulgrew thinks Rangers are always Old Firm favourites

Rangers have beaten Celtic both times they've faced off in an Old Firm derby so far this season.

Dan Neil was the hero at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup while Ryan Naderi silenced a Celtic Park which was full of Hoops fans.

Mulgrew has explained why he believes Rangers are and will be the favourites in these games for the foreseeable future.

He said: "When I think of the Old Firm games now, I always think Rangers are going to be favourites.

"But domestically I always think Celtic will win. I still look at Rangers and still don't know if they can win comfortably. They can't break teams down as fluidly."

Let's see how the rest of the season plays out, because four points isn't the biggest gap in the world.