The arrival of the Ibrox footballers came as a welcome boost for youngsters spending the festive period in hospital.

Rangers chief executive Charles Green joined his players on the visit.

The top team pro- fessionals spent time in several wards with children and their families, handing out gifts from the Rangers Charity Foundation.

Lee said: "It was our pleasure to visit the children. I know the kids in the wards and their families get a lift from these visits and it was great to go and see them again.

"On behalf of everyone at Rangers, I hope the children and families have a merry Christmas and a happy and healthier 2013."

David Welch, director of fundraising at the hospital, said: "We are very grateful to the players at Rangers for taking the time to visit the children, and to the Foundation for organising the visit.

"Visits like this one help to lift their spirits."

The visit comes a week after Rangers announced the club would donate the proceeds from their next Scottish Cup match, at Dundee United, to charity.

Charles Green said any money due from the tie would go to the Evening Times-backed Brick by Brick Appeal, to build a new Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice for Glasgow, and the Erskine services charity.