Steven Gerrard's stance on Rangers job as talks planned for Ibrox return

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard would appear to have mixed feelings on the possibility of returning to Rangers.

Gerrard, 44, has quickly been installed the bookies' favourite to replace Philippe Clement, who was sacked on Sunday with the Scottish giants sitting 13 points behind Glasgow rivals Celtic in the title race. Belgian coach Clement had been in charge since October 2023 but Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to St Mirren marked the end of his reign.

Rangers haven't been able to successfully replace Gerrard since he left Ibrox to manage Premier League side Aston Villa in November 2021. Giovanni van Bronckhorst had a year in charge and although the Dutchman led Rangers to the Europa League final and won the Scottish Cup, he was sacked a few months later.

Michael Beale, Gerrard's former assistant, then came in but was also dismissed after 12 months. Now the Gers have changed managers mid-season once again, with their title hopes fading fast and only the Europa League left as far as cup competitions go.

So, could Gerrard return? Shortly after Villa sacked him in 2022, fellow ex-Liverpool captain Graeme Souness - who played for and managed Rangers - revealed: "I saw Steven a couple of weeks ago in Portugal.

"He seemed in fine form and I said to him, 'Are you wanting to go back?' and he said give it a bit of time and I'll go back if something comes along that is interesting to him, back into the game.

"I don't see him going to Glasgow Rangers. Would the supporters be happy with him going back? I'm not sure. They think he left them at a difficult time, I'm not sure."

Rangers hero Ally McCoist, however, said earlier this month: "It wouldn't surprise me if Steven Gerrard came back to Ibrox. He's obviously held in really high regard by the supporters because of the league title he won, and his next job is going to be vitally important for him.

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"Things haven't gone according to plan for him after he left Rangers. A little bit like Frank Lampard going to Coventry – his next appointment was really important to him as well."

Gerrard remains the only man to lead Rangers to a Scottish title since their liquidation in 2012 and subsequent rise back up the divisions. The 44-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, a position which he'd held since July 2023.

He's since been linked with other vacancies including at Championship promotion hopefuls Blackburn Rovers and League Two bottom dwellers Carlisle United, although Mirror Football understands that no talks took place with the latter club. Rangers don't have long until their next match, as they're due to face Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Gerrard isn't the only name being mentioned, though, as talkSPORT report that former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson will meet Ibrox chiefs on Monday to discuss taking job for the rest of this season. Ferguson is currently the manager of third-tier side Alloa Athletic.

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