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The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach will discuss a potential comeback with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox announced that a "thorough, considered hiring process" is now in progress.

Other candidates are set to be reviewed, but if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

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

In a latest audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be filmed before Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three complete seasons at Rangers, he secured just one trophy – however it was a big one.

Following placements of 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

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

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' only title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

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

In his debut campaign the Old Firm results were even, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, claiming five additional and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the same tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had 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 did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Up and down results yielded a mid-table finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His latest job lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team placed 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

Those after Rangers experiences could cause certain hesitation and the individual might harbor concerns over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a high-profile post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Ibrox board.