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Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager will discuss a potential return with the club's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers announced that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently in progress.

Other candidates will be reviewed, however if ex Liverpool and England captain is open to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started approaching potential members for his backroom team.

In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired knowledge as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won just one title – but it was a big one.

After finishing 13 and nine points behind their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an historic 10-in-a-row title.

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

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

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

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

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

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

In his debut campaign the derby honours were shared, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

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

Rangers progressed 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 identical competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been seen as the natural progression on a dream return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is clearly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

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

Gerrard failed to complete a year at Aston Villa.

Inconsistent performances resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Fulham left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His latest job continued for a year and a half and he departed with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the drop zone.

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

These after Rangers experiences may give certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor doubts over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.