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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to discuss a possible return with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring process" is currently underway.

Additional names are set to be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has started contacting potential members for his coaching team.

In a recent podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I think that fits me more”.

He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.

During three full seasons at Ibrox, he secured just one title – however it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated throughout.

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

The downside was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

In his first season the derby results were shared, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, claiming five additional and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to enter the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run concluding at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would recover to win by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale 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 better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

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

He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent role lasted 18 months and he departed with the team placed in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes things don't go the way we hope.”

Those post-Ibrox experiences may give some pause for thought and the man himself may have doubts over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.