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Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager will talk about a possible return with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is now in progress.

Additional names will be considered, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at the club, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old manager lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has begun contacting prospective members for his backroom team.

In a recent audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I think that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

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

During three complete campaigns at Ibrox, he won just one title – but it proved significant.

Following placements of 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which just happened to deny their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

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

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

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

It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the Old Firm honours were shared, each side earning two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to reach the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their local opponents would recover to win by the same margin.

The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to move Rangers forward, 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 year at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

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

His most recent role continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points above the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we hope.”

These after Rangers experiences may give certain pause for thought and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.