Rangers are set to hold talks with Steven Gerrard this week about a potential return to Ibrox.

The club’s American owners are believed to be leading the search for Russell Martin’s successor and Gerrard is one they are particularly keen on.

Sky Sports News revealed yesterday that Gerrard is open to discussions and those have now been scheduled to take place before the weekend.

It will not be a straightforward conversation, however, despite the Liverpool and England great being out of work. They were unable to agree a deal in the summer before Martin was appointed boss.

Gerrard, who won the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers in 2021, is also not the only candidate under consideration and the club are undergoing a process of identifying several potential options.

Gerrard remains settled with his family in Bahrain, despite no longer being in charge at Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

He would also need reassurances that the Rangers project is the right one for him at this stage of his career, especially given their current predicament in the table.

On Tuesday, Sky Sports News reported the club were still drawing up a shortlist and that ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche was one high-profile name not interested in the role.

Gerrard reveals ‘unfinished business’ in his managerial career

On Tuesday afternoon, Gerrard claimed he had “unfinished business” in management and said he felt Rangers had been the “perfect match” when he moved to Glasgow in May 2018.

The 45-year-old remains a hero to many Rangers supporters after winning the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, thus stopping Celtic from making it 10-in-a-row.

Gerrard then left for Aston Villa in November 2021 and had a subsequent spell with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where he left in January and has been without a managerial job since.

Speaking on the ‘Rio Meets’ podcast, which appeared to be recorded before Martin’s dismissal, Gerrard said: “I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do.

“Going to Grand Prix, doing exhibition games with ex-team-mates and superstars, that type of stuff has been great.

“But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.

“But I want a certain type of challenge. If in an ideal world they come available, I’ll jump at them.

“If they don’t, I won’t go back in. I want to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better.

“I think certain jobs and certain clubs would suit my style and the way I like to go about it.

“But I’ve also got time now where I’m not in a rush, where I know the right people that are out there to make me a stronger and a better coach. They are the people I need to find.

“Because if I get the right match with those people around me, I know, and I’ve proved, I can be successful as a manager.

“And that’s what I’m working on in the background now.”

Ex-Gers midfielder Jack backs Gerrard return

Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack speaking to Sky Sports News:

“He’s shown that he can go and turn the club around and build a successful squad.

“The squad now has had a lot of money spent on it, compared to the one he inherited before in his last regime.

“If the club can convince him to come back, and he can go and get hold of the changing room, get the staff and the fans behind the club, then I think it would be a great appointment.

“One of the key factors [in his previous spell] was his leadership. On and off the pitch, how he spoke in team meetings, tactical sessions or individual meetings.

“He would speak to you personally, man-to-man, so I think that was one of his key characteristics. I’m sure if he does go back, then he gets everyone pushing in the same direction.

“He’s been in there before, he’s been successful and knows what it takes to build the club up to being champions.

“I’m not at the club anymore, but as soon as I heard about it, it was exciting for me. I’m still a big supporter of the club, I still watch the games, and I’m just praying that it can happen.”

‘A significant step’

Sky Sports News reporter Gordon Duncan at Ibrox:

“It’s a significant step in the search for Rangers’ new manager.

“Of course, nothing is ever straightforward in football. It doesn’t mean this is an automatic done deal.

“While Gerrard is out of work he remains settled in the Middle East with his family.

“He would have to be assured that this is the right project too with Rangers way off the pace in the Scottish Premiership and struggling in Europe. There is also a lot of negativity around the club with the way the season has started.

“However, all the things Gerrard is saying at the moment, they are exciting the Rangers fans.

“He’s not potentially the perfect appointment but he did deliver the 55th title at Ibrox and he also delivered the title that stopped Celtic winning 10 in a row. It wasn’t a perfect reign and there were bumps in the road, but there was progress.”

Rangers’ upcoming fixtures

• Dundee United (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 18
• Brann (A) – Europa League – October 23
• Kilmarnock (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 26
• Hibernian (A) – Scottish Premiership – October 29 – live on Sky Sports
• Celtic (N) – League Cup semi-final – November 2