Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Mon 13 October 2025 14:10, UK

Rangers’ search for Russell Martin’s successor has entered is second week after a breakdown in talks with Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard turned down the chance to return to Rangers over the weekend, reportedly as the timing simply was not right.

Rangers had seemingly put all their eggs in one basket, believing Gerrard would not reject the chance of an Ibrox return.

Danny Rohl is now the favourite to take charge of Rangers, with talks said to have taken place between the German, Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe.

However, journalist Keith Jackson cannot get his head around the situation that has led Rangers to this point.

Rangers turn to Danny Rohl after Steven Gerrard rejection

Rangers sacked Martin on 5 October, hours after a 1-1 draw against Falkirk in the Gers’ most recent match.

The timing of the sack meant Rangers had just under two weeks to make an appointment in time for the home clash with Dundee United.

However, after seemingly focusing talks solely on Gerrard for a few days last week, that rejection has left Rangers in limbo.

Rohl may be the next cab off the rank, but Jackson is unsure why Rangers did not reach out to certain other potential candidates.

Speaking on the Daily Record’s Hotline Live, as shared via X on 13 October, Jackson said: “They seem absolutely determined to keep themselves away from Derek McInnes, which makes no obvious sense to anybody that’s paying an interest in this fiasco.

“There’s also been no attempt to reach out to Kevin Muscat, or even to reach out to Barry Ferguson to see if he could do this for a couple of months again.

“No attempts to reach out to those who have an understanding of what’s required. Instead, they’re going down Kevin Thelwell’s bluesky playbook.

“I find it extraordinary, I really do. If Cavenagh has a moment to pause and have a think, he’ll maybe understand he’s about to take a dangerous turn.”

Like Gerrard, Rohl is currently out of work. Unlike Gerrard, Rohl has no notable hurdles in the way that would prevent him from taking the job.

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Would Barry Ferguson have been open to Rangers return?

Rangers are nearing a scenario in which they could have done with a caretaker manager to oversee things.

While the international break may have given the Gers some time to play with, it means those not on international duty have lacked any real direction on the training ground.

The Dundee United clash is now just five days away, and talks with Rohl are still ongoing at this stage.

However, it is unlikely Ferguson would have agreed to a return to Rangers just for a game or two.

Indeed, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News just before Martin’s sacking, Derek Ferguson said his brother Barry was likely still disappointed not to have been given the job permanently in the summer.

If Rohl is indeed the man to take Rangers forward, then it is an appointment that needs to be made sooner rather than later.

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