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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will discuss a potential comeback with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is currently underway.

Other candidates will be considered, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at the club, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old manager has recently spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a recent podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, 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 part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.

During three full seasons at Ibrox, he won only a single trophy – but it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.

And he did it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.

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

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

It continues to be Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

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

In his first campaign 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 next truncated 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 Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“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 at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our facilities and to make the club win again.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”

These after Rangers experiences could cause certain hesitation and the man himself might harbor concerns over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.