Sources: Rangers accelerating Steven Gerrard appointment after ‘positive’ talks at Ibrox
Steven Gerrard has been hotly tipped to become the next Rangers manager after Russell Martin was sacked following a dismal start to the season.
Football Insider revealed on 6 October that Rangers had a four-man managerial shortlist at Ibrox, with Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Kevin Muscat on their radar.
Since then, Dyche has ruled himself out of the running and is not interested in the role, while the front-runner appears to have become clear at Ibrox.
Gerrard has now emerged as the clear first choice for the role and now appears to be closing in on the job following talks with the Ibrox hierarchy.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown first told Football Insider on 30 September that Gerrard is a leading candidate for Rangers in their managerial search.
Steven Gerrard closing in on Rangers job after new talks
Football Insider revealed on 10 October that the Rangers job is Gerrard’s to lose as things stand as they close in on appointing their next permanent manager.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, positive talks were held with the boss to convince him to make a sensational return to Ibrox.
The Rangers hierarchy identified Gerrard as the leading candidate for the role, and they are now accelerating efforts to finalise his appointment.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Well, it seems Steven Gerrard is the leading candidate for the Rangers job to replace Russell Martin.
“Talks have been held between Gerrard and the Rangers hierarchy this week as well.
“Those talks have been positive as sources say they have, things could really speed up in Rangers’ hunt for a new manager.
“I think right now Gerrard does seem to be the top target. If those talks are successful, it could mean something pretty quickly happening with Gerrard returning to Ibrox.
“Gerrard’s come out publicly now on a podcast saying that he feels he has unfinished business in management and he is now more ready than he has been to return to the dugout.
“Rangers have been doing everything they can to try and convince Gerrard to maybe return to management. I think he’s admitted himself that he is ready to make that return. And obviously that’s a positive signs for Rangers.“
Gerrard admitted in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand that he is ready to go back into management, in what will be seen as a boost for Rangers.
Gerrard cleared of concerns ahead of Rangers appointment
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider that Gerrard faces a taxation issue from his time in Saudi Arabia should he decide to return to Scotland.
Meanwhile, Gerrard faces issues which are delaying his Rangers return, while his family currently live in Bahrain and had opted to remain there after his dismissal from Al-Ettifaq.
However, those concerns appear to have been brushed aside and are no longer believed to be as big an issue as they appeared during the summer.
Rangers originally considered Gerrard among the contenders to replace Philippe Clement last season, before opting to push ahead with Martin’s appointment.
Now, there is a feeling he will be the right man to turn around their fortunes and get the fans back on side after a rocky start to the season.
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