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Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach will talk about a possible comeback with the club's leadership.

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

Additional names are set to be considered, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

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

In a recent podcast discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I think that fits me more”.

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 a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining experience as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

During three full seasons at Ibrox, he won just one title – however it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.

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

Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.

The downside was that it occurred amid of Covid and empty stadiums.

It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby results were even, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

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

From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, winning five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the next year.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

Aston Villa 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 table – however their city rivals would claw that back to win by the same margin.

The attraction of the Premier League is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream return to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

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

How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results resulted in a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

His latest job lasted 18 months and he departed with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey personally and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox exploits may give certain pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.