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Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to talk about a possible comeback with the club's owners.

The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently underway.

Other candidates will be considered, but if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in coaching and disclosed he has started approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He added: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired experience as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete campaigns at Ibrox, he won just one trophy – however it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership title in a decade, which just happened to deny their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.

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

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

The downside was that it came amid of Covid and empty stadiums.

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

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

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

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

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

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

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

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

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

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it could 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 shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our facilities and to make the club win again.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage left 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 the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His latest role lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he said in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”

Those after Rangers experiences may give some pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.