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The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach is set to discuss a potential return with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered hiring process" is now in progress.

Other candidates are set to be considered, but if ex Liverpool and England captain is open 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 coaching and disclosed he has begun contacting prospective members for his backroom team.

In a latest audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I believe that fits me more”.

He added: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

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

Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to prevent 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, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' only league triumph since the 2010-11 season.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Parkhead.

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

Two losses to Celtic came in the following truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

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

The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure 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 mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.

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

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the drop zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox experiences may give some hesitation and the individual might harbor doubts over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent position.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.