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Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager will talk about a possible comeback with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered recruitment procedure" is now underway.

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

The 45-year-old coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.

In a recent audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I think that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, 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 academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.

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

After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.

And he did it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.

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

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

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

In his debut season the derby honours were even, each side earning two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and drawing once.

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

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He left Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would recover to prevail by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the club is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure 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 position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

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

His latest role continued for a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

Those after Rangers experiences could cause some pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.