Olwethu Makhanya has taken to life at Ibrox like a duck to water, but the South African defender admits he nearly called time on his professional career before it had even started.
The 22-year-old, who swapped MLS for the Scottish Premiership this summer after moving to the United States in 2023, began his career with Stellenbosch.
However, the centre-back admits that, if not for a phone call with his mum, he may well have prioritised education instead.
"I remember when I first left home to look for better opportunities in a different city," said Makhanya, who has one cap for South Africa.
"I went away from home for the first time and tried it, but things did not go well.
"I called my mum one day. I told her, 'I just want to come back, maybe focus on education because maybe football is not for me.' The thing she told me over the phone was: 'You left here with the intention of playing football and I want you to do that.' So I just had to keep going until things came through for me."
Makhanya, who has cut a confident figure off the park, says his quick adaptation to Scottish football has not surprised him, adding: "To be honest, before I even came here, I always felt like I could play at this level, or at an even higher level. So I wouldn't say I'm surprised because I arrived with the belief that I'd do well."
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Looking ahead to Sunday's significant Old Firm derby, which will shape the early part of the season for both sides of Glasgow, Makhanya continued: "There's been a lot of talk about the fixture, the derby and all that, but I don't really look into it.
"I just know it's going to be a very passionate game and I'm excited to be part of it."
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