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Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager will discuss a potential return with the club's owners.

The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, considered recruitment procedure" is now underway.

Other candidates are set to be reviewed, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is open to a return spell at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?

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

In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me more”.

He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.

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

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight title in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.

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

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

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

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

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Parkhead.

In his first season the Old Firm results 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 next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

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

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

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – however their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.

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

“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.

Up and down results resulted in a mid-table position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

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

His most recent job lasted 18 months and he departed with the club placed 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 beneficial experience personally and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox exploits may give certain hesitation and the individual may have concerns over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile position.

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