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

The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is currently in progress.

Other candidates are set to be reviewed, but if ex Liverpool and England captain is open to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old coach has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has begun contacting potential staff for his coaching team.

In a latest audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me more”.

He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

During three full campaigns at Ibrox, he secured only a single trophy – but it was a big one.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

And he did it impressively, with his team unbeaten in the process.

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

The downside was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby honours were shared, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic came in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five additional and tying once.

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

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the next year.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

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

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would recover to prevail by the same margin.

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

“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is clearly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said 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 Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

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

He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent job continued for 18 months and he departed with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”

Those after Rangers exploits could cause some hesitation and the man himself might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile position.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.