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

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring process" is currently in progress.

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

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

In a recent audio interview with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired experience as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

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

Following placements of 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.

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

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

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

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

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

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the following truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

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

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

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the following season.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their city rivals would claw that back to win by the same margin.

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 Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

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

“We have had a desire to advance the club, to update our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent role continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These after Rangers experiences could cause some pause for thought and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a high-profile position.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.