Rangers next manager latest: Steven Gerrard ‘surprise’ emerges as Ibrox loyalty questioned
Steven Gerrard remains the firm favourite to succeed Russell Martin as Rangers’ next manager.
Gerrard is said to have held talks with Rangers chiefs in London on Thursday, four days on from Martin being sacked.
Rangers are not back in action until a week on Saturday when Dundee United visit Ibrox.
With plenty of speculation continue to swirl regarding the managerial situation at Rangers, Ibrox News rounds up all the big stories from the past 24 hours.
Jermain Defoe may have confirmed Rangers appointment with Instagram post
Jermain Defoe, like Gerrard, has experience of working at Rangers in a coaching capacity – and indeed as a player.
The Englishman recently said he would be open to returning to Ibrox, which would likely see him work as part of Gerrard’s coaching staff.
And Defoe dropped a massive hint a Rangers return could be on with a couple of posts on social media on Thursday.
They included an image of a Rangers tracksuit, and another of a jug given to Defoe after Rangers’ 2021 title success.
Neil Lennon lashes out at ‘horrendous’ Rangers fans
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has given his verdict on Martin’s tenure.
| Games managed | 17 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Win percentage | 29.41 |
Martin had to be escorted out of the ground following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Falkirk, which proved to be his last in charge.
Lennon was not pleased at the way Martin was treated by Rangers fans as he said: “It’s horrendous. I’m looking at the club, and I’m wondering if they can do more to safeguard him.
“You see him walking across the pitch with his security, but he won’t be thinking about his personal safety; he’ll be thinking about what he could have done better.
Danny Murphy surprised by latest Gerrard development
Danny Murphy is a close ally of Gerrard’s, having played together for both Liverpool and England in the past.
The out-of-work manager’s links to Ibrox make a return obvious, but Murphy is surprised Gerrard is open to going back to Rangers.
“I’m actually surprised that he’s talking to them,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “I thought he’d say no. Steve is one of these guys who’s got such belief in himself.
“Last time it went well, but it’s a bit like an old girlfriend – they always say don’t go back.”
Gerrard’s loyalty questioned as Rangers hierarchy set for talks
Murphy is not alone in giving strong views on Gerrard’s likely return to Ibrox, with fellow talkSPORT personality Simon Jordan also weighing in.
Gerrard upset plenty of Rangers fans when jumping ship to Aston Villa in the past, where it is fair to say he had far less success.
And Jordan says that is an important factor to take into consideration when Gerrard is back at Ibrox for a second spell in charge.
“Are you going to do the same thing as you did last time, which is basically come along, when a Premier League job comes along, you’re going to jump ship when it suits you best,” Jordan asked.
“All of these sorts of things. But I want to get right into the understanding of the fella, rather than the media’s perception of him. And also, the reasons why he wasn’t successful at Aston Villa, the reasons why he took the Saudi job and what problems he would fix for me.”
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