THEY say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Richard Foster will testify to that.

The defender knew exactly what he was leaving behind when he departed Rangers for the first time two years ago, and what he was missing out on when his loan move from Aberdeen wasn't converted into a permanent deal by boss Ally McCoist.

He will soon be able to sample the greatest experience of his professional career once again, however, his decision to terminate his contract at Bristol City and pen a two-year deal with the Light Blues an easy one to make.

Having tasted SPL success and starred in the Champions League during Walter Smith's reign, Foster undoubtedly returns to a club in a far worse state.

Both on the field and off it, though, Rangers are rebuilding, moving forward slowly but surely on the road to recovery after their brush with death 12 months ago.

Foster could only watch on from his Bristol base and hope his former club survived last summer.

But now he is determined to play his part in the journey back to the top after swapping Championship football for Scotland's third tier.

"It [playing in the Second Division] was something I definitely considered, but when you just look at the size of the club, still getting 50,000 fans at home in the Third Division is insane," Foster said.

"To be part of this massive club, to train every day at Murray Park – I never had facilities that good down at Bristol – is incredible. So being in the Second Division was just a small consideration for me.

"It was tough watching what happened to Rangers from the outside.

"I don't fully understand the ins and outs of what happened and why they were put down to the Third Division. But it wasn't nice to watch.

"I made friends here. Most of those guys have now left, but for the fans who have stayed loyal it must have been even harder to see their club, with all the honours they have won down the years, being demoted.

"It has been difficult for Scottish football too. Looking on from afar, it appears as if other teams have struggled as well with finance and attendances."

The capture of Foster is another piece of the jigsaw completed for McCoist as he continues to build his squad.

The former Aberdeen defender brings a wealth of experience to an Ibrox pool that has seen significant investment this summer, and the 28-year-old is keen to make the most of his second chance.

He said: "It was a little bit disappointing that my first spell here didn't get extended, but I didn't really dwell on it.

"I realised how fortunate I was to actually get the move here in the first place.

"It was a crazy kind of situation and I loved every minute of it. It was a bit of a whirlwind and it's only looking back that I realise how good it was.

"I went back to Aberdeen and ended up as captain, which was a huge thing for me at the time. I'm just delighted I've got the chance to come back.

"There were so many highlights. From a footballing perspective, winning the SPL was fantastic for me.

"But the Champions League nights here are unbelievable. The Valencia game was probably the highlight. The way the crowd were that night will live with me forever."

It is only a year since the likes of David Templeton and Ian Black attracted criticism from some quarters for dropping down from the SPL to the Third Division to join the Gers.

Foster has fallen even further down the ladder after bringing an end to his time in the Championship, but he insists he is moving up the world after clinching his Ibrox return.

"It's more about the fans," he said. "Ashton Gate was a great place to play. But they were getting a maximum of 17,000 or 18,000 – which is a good attendance.

"But when you hear Rangers are getting 50,000, it's completely different.

"Bristol are still a big club, but I wouldn't compare them to Rangers. They simply can't match the fan base."

Rangers fans are advised the deadline for season ticket renewals is this Friday – June 28.

Prices for campaign passes in the family section are £258 for adults, £65 for kids and £179 for concessions.

Prices for all other areas of the stadium start at £278 for adults, £68 for kids and £190 for concessions.

For more information on renewals fans can visit www.rangers.co.uk/renew, the Rangers Ticket Centre or call 0871 702 1972.