🔗 Share this article

The former Liverpool captain is in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach is set to discuss a possible return with the team's leadership.

The decision-makers at Rangers announced that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is now underway.

Other candidates will be considered, however if ex Liverpool and England skipper is open to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has started approaching prospective members for his coaching team.

In a recent audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I believe that fits me more”.

He added: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

During three full campaigns at Rangers, he won just one title – however it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points after Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.

And he achieved it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.

Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.

The downside was that it occurred amid of Covid and empty stadiums.

It remains Rangers' sole title success since the 2010-11 season.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby results were even, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in derbies, claiming five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to reach the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to advance the club, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

Across 2022, he won only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His latest job lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points above the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he said in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we hope.”

These after Rangers experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor doubts over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a high-profile post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.