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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to discuss a possible comeback with the team's leadership.

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

Other candidates are set to be considered, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties manager lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has started approaching potential staff for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired knowledge as a youth development coach at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he secured only a single title – however it was a big one.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.

And he achieved it impressively, with his team undefeated in the process.

Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut campaign the Old Firm results were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the following shortened 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 rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – however their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the club is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to advance the club, to update our facilities 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 Villa Park.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent role lasted 18 months and he departed with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Those post-Ibrox exploits may give certain hesitation and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.