KYLE LAFFERTY is determined to redeem himself in the eyes of the Rangers fans after re-joining his boyhood heroes on a two-year deal.

The striker became the 12th signing of the summer for boss Steven Gerrard as he completed a £500,000 move from Hearts on Wednesday afternoon.

The deal for Lafferty means Gerrard will now turn his attentions to defensive reinforcements once again and it is understood the forward’s Northern Irish team-mate Gareth McAuley is interesting the Light Blues.

Lafferty could make his second Gers debut against Ufa this evening and the 30-year-old is delighted to be back at Ibrox.

He said: “I have supported the club since I was a kid and I have played here before but the way I left I was disappointed.

“Walking out those doors six years ago broke my heart but to be given a second chance to redeem myself I jumped at the chance. I am happy to be home.

“Of course I always wanted to come back and put things right and show the fans what I am all about.

“Did I think I would get another chance though? Not really. I went to Hearts last season and had a good season and now I have been given a second chance, which I am lucky to have.

“I probably heard about five or six weeks ago but you hear things every single day in football at this time of year.

“I just turned up for training, worked hard and scored goals and now I am here today and I am delighted.”

Gerrard has made an immediate impact this summer as his new-look side have impressed in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Lafferty enjoyed huge success under Walter Smith during his first stint at Ibrox and is confident Rangers are on the right track once again.

He told RangersTV: “I think we are heading in the right direction, I think the gaffer has come in and has got us playing the way we want, attacking and defensively.

“It has been a long time since we have seen a Rangers team like this so it is exciting times ahead.

“The manager didn’t speak to me before but I have watched every game on TV so far. He is going to pull me in and have a word with me.

“I wanted to be part of this because they are heading in the right direction and I want to be involved in winning trophies with Rangers.

“The Maribor away leg was the one that made me think ‘Wow, this is the real Rangers.’

“Every game we have been attacking and have done well going forward but against Maribor away it was more back to the walls and they have come out of it with the result they needed – that was pretty impressive.

“I want to be here for success and with the squad of players that we have here we will do that.”