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Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach is set to discuss a potential comeback with the club's owners.

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

Additional names will be considered, but if ex Liverpool and England captain is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?

The mid-forties manager has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting potential members for his coaching team.

In a recent podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

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

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining knowledge as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

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

Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership title in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.

And he achieved it in style, with his team unbeaten throughout.

Rangers won all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' only league triumph since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his first season the derby honours were shared, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their run ending at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is strong and it could have been seen as the natural progression 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 team is undoubtedly 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 advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

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

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

These after Rangers experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor concerns over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.