Rangers have been praised for giving children from the Well Foundation Academy an unforgettable experience at Ibrox ahead of the club's pre-season meeting with West Ham United.
The special day was highlighted by Well Foundation CEO and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Fahim Baqir, who thanked Rangers for creating lifelong memories for the young people involved.
The day began with a question-and-answer session featuring four members of Rangers' first-team squad. Youssef Chermiti, Djeidi Gassama, Mohamed Diomande and Nedim Bajrami all spent time meeting the youngsters, posing for photographs and answering questions.
The experience continued with the children taking part in a training session on the famous Ibrox pitch before playing a key role in the pre-match build-up.
As official flag bearers, the youngsters walked onto the pitch ahead of Rangers and West Ham, helping welcome both teams onto the field before taking their seats in the stands to watch the match unfold.
Reflecting on the experience, Baqir underlined the impact days like these can have on young people.
He wrote: "What a truly unforgettable day for our Well Foundation Academy children at Ibrox! A massive thank you to Rangers Football Club for giving our young people an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Baqir also stressed the wider value of initiatives that bring children closer to elite sport.
"Experiences like these inspire young people, build confidence, and show them what can be achieved through sport," he added.
He reserved special thanks for Peter from Rangers Soccer Schools, as well as everyone involved at the club for making the visit possible.
"Your continued support of our community means so much and provides opportunities our children will never forget."
Community engagement has long been an important part of Rangers' work beyond the first team, with the club regularly partnering with local organisations and charities to create opportunities for young people across Glasgow and beyond.
For the children at the Well Foundation Academy, the opportunity to meet their footballing heroes, step onto the Ibrox pitch and play a visible role in the matchday experience ensured it was a day that will remain with them for years to come.
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