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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach will discuss a possible return with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment procedure" is now underway.

Additional names will be reviewed, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at the club, could the position essentially his?

The 45-year-old manager has recently spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed prior to Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

Over three full campaigns at Ibrox, he won only a single title – however it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points after Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.

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

Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it occurred amid of Covid and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

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

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and tying once.

Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

Aston Villa made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is clearly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham left them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

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

His latest role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

Those after Rangers exploits may give some pause for thought and the individual may have doubts over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a high-profile position.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.