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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach is set to talk about a possible comeback with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, considered hiring process" is currently in progress.

Additional names will be reviewed, but if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties manager has recently spoken about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded before Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

Over three complete campaigns at Rangers, he secured just one title – however it was a big one.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

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

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

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead.

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

Two losses to Celtic came in the following truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, claiming five additional and tying once.

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

In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the following season.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

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

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

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

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

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

Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.

Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Fulham placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His latest role lasted 18 months and he moved on with the club placed 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience personally 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.”

These after Rangers experiences may give certain hesitation and the man himself might harbor doubts over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.