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The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will talk about a potential return with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring process" is currently in progress.

Additional names are set to be reviewed, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is open to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?

The mid-forties coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has started approaching potential staff for his backroom team.

In a recent podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's set to challenge to win because I think that suits me more”.

He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete campaigns at Ibrox, he won only a single title – however it was a big one.

Following placements of 13 and nine points after Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.

And he did it impressively, with his team unbeaten in the process.

Rangers triumphed in 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' only league triumph since 2010-11.

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 without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

In his first season the derby results were even, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.

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

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical tournament, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their run concluding at the identical round the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – however their city rivals would recover to win by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

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

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

Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.

Inconsistent performances resulted in a 14th-place finish at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent job lasted 18 months and he moved on with the club placed 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we want.”

These after Rangers exploits could cause some pause for thought and the man himself may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.