Ryan Jack thrilled as Fabrizio Romano shares Rangers manager talks from Ibrox

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack.

On the hunt for their next figurehead in the Ibrox dugout, Rangers chiefs have now taken a “positive” step with an appointment “closer than ever”.

Rangers line up several candidates
Russell Martin’s tenure looked destined to end after a matter of weeks, let alone 123 days. The former Southampton boss was the wrong choice for the Gers and the 49ers have been forced to learn a harsh lesson as a result. Now, with one win in seven Scottish Premiership games, those at Ibrox must kick on as they prepare to welcome their next permanent manager.

Just who that might be is the big question. Reports have mentioned the likes of Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Hearts boss Derek McInnes, but it is Steven Gerrard who remains the favourite to take the job.

The Liverpool legend even added fuel to the fire in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand, admitting that he has “unfinished business” in management after failed spells in Saudi Arabia and the Premier League.

“I’d love another go at some point. I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh, with a few different people around myself.

“I’d love another couple of challenges doing this and that’s what I’m working on in the background at the moment. A few different ideas, a few different people around me.

“Now I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do. But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.”

As the last title-winning manager at Rangers, Gerrard’s return would certainly make sense and Fabrizio Romano has now dropped the latest update on his potential return to Ibrox.

Romano drops major update on Gerrard’s Rangers return
According to Romano, Gerrard is “closer than ever” to a Rangers return and “positive initial discussions” have already taken place between both parties. Next, the 49ers must meet with the 45-year-old to discuss the finer details as they seek to iron out an agreement.

This is no time for the Gers to take a major risk and that’s why Gerrard makes sense. He has been there and done it at Rangers. No other candidate can say the same, no other candidate has dethroned Celtic and Brendan Rodgers. For all his recent failure elsewhere, that fact remains.

Former Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who played for the club throughout the Liverpudlian’s first spell, told Sky Sports: “You could see the excitement and the hype the first time Steven came to the club. You could see straight away he knew what the club was, the demand of the support, and for me that’s key.

“He knows what it takes to build the club up to be champions. I’m still a big supporter of the club and as soon as I heard about it (his potential return), I was excited. I’m just praying that it can happen.”

In an ideal world, the Gers will strike an agreement with their top candidate before the end of the international break. That would hand Gerrard ample time to arrive and prepare for life back in Scotland, as Rangers prepare to square off against Dundee United when domestic football returns.