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The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager will discuss a possible return with the club's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring procedure" is now in progress.

Additional names will be considered, however if ex Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at the club, could the position essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach has recently spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting potential members for his backroom team.

In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he won just one trophy – however it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.

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

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

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

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

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and tying once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the elimination stage of the same competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been seen as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Liverpool at a time when his coaching reputation was high.

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

“We have had a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”

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

Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down performances yielded a mid-table finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

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

He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Those post-Ibrox experiences may give some pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.