Russell Martin is under huge pressure at Rangers following a dire start to the season and should he be sacked Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard could seal an emotional return to Ibrox
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard remains out of work having left Al-Ettifaq in January
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard could potentially be set for a dream return to Rangers with the pressure cranking up on Rusell Martin. The former Swansea and Southampton boss was appointed by the Scottish giants in the summer.
But he has endured a woeful spell at Ibrox so far. Rangers are winless in five Scottish Premiership matches, leaving them tenth and already nine points behind fierce rivals Celtic.
Rangers fans appear to already have turned on Martin. And while the club hierarchy appear to be keeping faith in the 39-year-old for now, that could well change should their woeful form continue.
Asked recently if he retains the confidence of the Rangers board, Martin cryptically replied: "We'll see." Should he be moved on any time soon, Liverpool legend Gerrard could well emerge as a standout candidate to replace him.
Gerrard enjoyed a dream first spell north of the border having helped Rangers the side to the Scottish Premiership in 2021. He was tempted back to the Premier League by Aston Villa just months later, while the former midfielder has also had a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.
Gerrard left the club in January this year and has been out of work ever since. He was strongly linked with a return to Rangers in the summer but decided to withdraw from the process after deciding to stay with his family in the Middle East.
Speaking in March to former Liverpool teammate Peter Crouch, Gerrard claimed he was glad to be out of the spotlight. He said: "I don't want to be back in work mate, no. I'm happy with waking up and being free, doing the family stuff, just being free away from stress.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard helped Rangers to the title in his last spell at Ibrox
(Image: Getty Images)
"I will go in at some point but when it's round the clocks, I've doing it 18, 19 months, I want to be free, I want to play a round of golf, go down the boozer and have a couple of beers, do normal things that you can't do when you're coaching."
Whether Gerrard’s stance over a return to the dugout changes should the Rangers hotseat become available remains to be seen. But one man who is keen to see him back in charge is his former player Greg Stewart.
Stewart helped Rangers to the title during Gerrard’s previous spell in Scotland. Speaking recently, he said: "Bringing Steven back is an absolute no-brainer for me. One hundred percent go get him. I’m ready to phone him myself.
Russell Martin
Russell Martin is under growing pressure at Rangers
(Image: Getty Images)
"There's one thing you'll see again with a Steven Gerrard team, it's a style that makes us hard to beat and which allows us to score goals.
"Right now, it looks like there's no alignment at the club, from the players to the staff and from the dressing room up to board.
"It's so hard to watch. I watch all the games and it just ruins my weekend. That's how I still feel about it."
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