Rangers legend Nacho Novo has been ordered to wear a specialist vest following a heart attack in January.

The footballing idol, 38, has been given a defibrillator vest to wear for the next six weeks which could potentially save his life.

The device costs around £3,000 and sounds an alert when it senses health problems.

Novo suffered a cardiac arrest during a legends tournament in Berlin last month.

Following his recovery, he returned to Glasgow where he delighted fans at his bar on Paisley Road.

Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Novo, who played at Ibrox between 2004 and 2010, said: "It gives me a feeling of extra security and makes being out of hospital a little less stressful.

“It’s a worrying and scary time after a heart attack and the LifeVest gives me extra protection.”

Girlfriend Stephanie Heaney, 33, described the gadget a “guardian angel” that has eased her worries following the scare.

She added: "Wearing the vest is like having a medic with you all the time. It’s like Nacho’s wee guardian angel.

“The alarm has gone off three times, which was scary, but in a way it was also reassuring.

“It told us his heart wasn’t doing what it was supposed to and that allowed us to react.

“Luckily, he was OK but if it had gone off repeatedly, he’d have had to go to hospital.

“If your heart starts to beat out of sync, that’s when it becomes dangerous.

“The specialist checked Nacho head to toe before he was allowed to fly. He wasn’t feeling great so it was touch and go for a bit whether we’d be able to board the plane.

“During our trip home, he wore a hat and kept it really low so people didn’t recognise him. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone.

“I wheeled him through the airport in Germany and in Heathrow, then he got wheelchair assistance in Glasgow.

“My uncle was waiting outside in the car to pick us up.”

Doctors will be reviewing whether Novo is fit enough to take off the specialist vest at a check-up this week.

Stephanie added: “In the past couple of weeks, Nacho has come on in leaps and bounds.

“But I still feel very protective and find it hard to leave him on his own.”