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Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager is set to talk about a possible comeback with the club's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "thorough, thoughtful recruitment process" is now underway.

Additional names will be reviewed, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, could the position as good as his?

The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has started approaching prospective members for his backroom team.

In a latest podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, 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

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he won just one title – but it was a big one.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.

Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

The drawback was that it came amid of Covid and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut campaign the derby results were shared, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, winning five more and tying once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage 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 Leave Rangers?

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

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

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been seen as the natural progression on a dream 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,” said then 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.

Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table position at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His most recent job continued for 18 months and he departed with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Those post-Ibrox exploits may give certain hesitation and the man himself might harbor concerns over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Ibrox board.