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Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach is set to talk about a possible comeback with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring process" is currently in progress.

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

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

In a recent audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He added: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining experience as a youth development coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete seasons at Rangers, he won only a single trophy – however it proved significant.

Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.

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

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

The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut campaign the derby honours were even, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

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

From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five additional and tying once.

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

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the same tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it could have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream return to Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is clearly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to advance the club, to modernise our facilities and to make the club win again.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard did not last a year at Villa Park.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

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

His latest role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we want.”

These after Rangers experiences could cause some hesitation and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.