The Steven Gerrard next Rangers manager 'temptation' (2025)

The two names are right at the top of the list of contenders to become the next Light Blues boss

Pat Nevin insists Steven Gerrard’s Scottish Premiership title win at Rangers puts him right in the mix to return to Ibrox as manager - but the former Scotland star says Barry Ferguson must be a serious contender.

Liverpool legend Gerrard is out of work after leaving the Saudi Pro League and has been heavily touted for the Light Blues hotseat as a permanent successor to Philippe Clement

With American tycoon Andrew Cavenagh leading a 49ers consortium takeover, Nevin admits the next manager is a “huge decision”. The 61-year-old told CasinoHawks: “Celtic have won the title in 13 of the last 14 seasons and who was in charge of Rangers when they won the title? Steven Gerrard was, so it’s a temptation.

"Celtic will probably win the league this year, almost certainly. So they go to 55 league wins to Rangers, 55 to Celtic. Rangers will really want the next one. They really want to win it.

“It's a big, massive, huge decision that they've got to make then.

"For Gerrard, it is hard to argue against it. He did leave and all managers leave under a level of cloud, but he won that league and he's been the only man that's been able to do it.

“So he's right up there in the reckoning. The group that's come in, with Barry Ferguson particularly, if they keep this going until the end of the season and get further again in Europa, they’ve got to be considered.”

And Nevin believes Rangers can stun Athletic Bilbao in the last eight of the Europa League to set up a semi-final against Manchester United or Lyon. He said: “In a one off tie, Rangers have shown that they can do it. They can take Manchester United to the edge. They beat Celtic, who took Bayern to the edge. Look, they're outsiders. They're outsiders by some distance.

“Athletic Club are fourth, they beat Real Madrid, but what a great thing for Rangers fans that they're in decent form just now. What a lift they've got beating Celtic at the weekend there. And it is a classic case of having nothing to lose. Expectations are minimal, limited. If they go out to the tournament at this stage, they're probably arguably over-performed and they've got a tough draw.

"So go out, enjoy it and see if you can bloody their noses. Bilbao has always been one of my favourite teams. I've just got a passion for the place and I love the way they've generally played football and the attitude of their fans. So it's going to be a great spectacle, but it's a tough tournament and Rangers have done well to get this far.

“If they could get there (semi-final), oddly I think their chances against United are better than their chances against Bilbao. And it sounds a bit odd because it's one stage on, but they know they're capable of standing toe to toe with them.

“They know they can do it. Believe in something and knowing something. They're very different. And Rangers know.

"That's going to give them a little bit of a lift and there has never, ever, ever been a better time to get Manchester United than now… across Premier League history. So that adds in their favour as well.

“They would still be second favourites once again, without a shadow of a doubt. They have an absolute pittance financially in comparison to Manchester United, the amount of money they've spent. But wouldn't it be great? And then you had the Scotland v England bit as well.

“I'd love to see it. I have to say I would love to see that one. It would be seriously entertaining in every way. Rangers, would I bet on them? No. 100% I wouldn't bet on them. They're just too far as outsiders. But are they capable of doing it on the day? Yeah.”