BLUE EYED BOYS

Russell Martin's sacking means Gers are looking for their fifth full-time boss in just four years. Managers with a variety of profiles have come and gone, so who is now the right fit for the Ibrox hotseat?

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT

THEY'VE tried the legendary ex-player route in Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Then it was the young, modern-day coaching guru in Michael Beale.

After that, it was the foreign angle - a proven title winner in Belgium in Philippe Clement.

And finally, it was the philosophy and style coach in Russell Martin.

You could argue that none of them worked. So the question is - where do Rangers go next? Martin was sacked after just 122 days in the job on Sunday night after a disastrous start to his Ibrox tenure.

Most fans now want a more pragmatic gaffer - with experience of Rangers and Scottish football almost a prerequisite.

And there are five early frontrunners for the job.

Here, Record Sport looks at their credentials:

STEVEN GERRARD

A fans' favourite and iconic figure at Ibrox after he delivered their 55th title in 2021 and stopped Celtic winning 10-in-arow.

The Liverpool legend immediately got it' when he arrived in Glasgow seven years ago.

His experience on Merseyside made him ideal for the role, with Rangers trying to re-establish themselves as a force in Scottish football after a difficult period in the club's history.

Gerrard needed three years to win a league but for supporters, it was the one that mattered.

And more importantly, he set standards at Ibrox which have been allowed to slip since his departure to Aston Villa.

After leaving, he's endured tough spells as a gaffer in England and in Saudi Arabia but he's now available again.

People say you should never go back but it hasn't worked out too badly for Brendan Rodgers.

The question is, would Gerrard fancy a return to Glasgow and a rematch with his old Anfield gaffer?

Chance of getting job? 4/5.

DEREK MCINNES