The defender made the move north of the border this summer after spending three years at Southampton.
At 28, the Northern Irish international is in the prime years of her career, and she is keen to make it count by winning regular silverware in Glasgow.
Speaking to RangersTV in an exclusive Walk and Talk with fellow summer signing Katie Wilkinson during the side’s pre-season camp in Spain, Rafferty said: “It was massive after I had the first conversation with Jo [Potter].
“I felt really valued, especially when I don’t know someone personally and they can take me under their wing.
“I’m 28 and I am in the prime of my career. I feel in the best shape that I’ve been in, and being at a massive club like Rangers does it.
“I’ve been in Glasgow for six weeks and the life and soul of the city is football.
“The winning mentality is amazing too; the girls have it.
“It’s not something that can always be taught, but even coming into the sessions and how competitive they are.
“The girls are fantastic, funny, and they really make it feel like home, which is a step I thought would be harder as I’ve never been too far away from home.”
Rafferty’s senior career began as a teenager under the guidance of Emma Hayes at Chelsea.
Indeed, Hayes’ managerial tenure at the west London club yielded a remarkable seven WSL titles.
And Rafferty credits the influence of the former Blues boss for moulding her into the central defender that she is today.
She added: “I used to be a No.10 when I was a kid, and I actually played right wing at the Under-17 Euros.
“But when I moved to Chelsea that was when Emma Hayes knuckled in and said that, pretty much, I was a centre-back. I’ve never looked back!
“I took a lot from Emma Hayes. I liked being in the middle of park and being on the ball, but as the game has progressed there is still so much you can do on the ball at the back.
“I like being on the ball and in pressurising situations.
“I wanted to go to the USA and play football first and foremost; do the showcase stuff.
“I actually even picked out a university that I was going to, but a week after that big transition Emma Hayes offered me my first professional contract.
“I was 18 at the time and it threw a spanner in the works, but what a great spanner it was.
“I went home, spoke with my family, and came into the training ground the very next day and never looked back.”
