Russell Martin, Barry Ferguson & Steven Gerrard linked with Rangers return following Philippe Clement’s sack

Russell Martin, Barry Ferguson, and Steven Gerrard are among the names being heavily linked with the Rangers job as Philippe Clement sacked following a damaging 2-0 defeat to St Mirren at Ibrox on Saturday.

With Rangers now trailing Celtic in the title race and their inconsistency under Clement becoming a major talking point, speculation has intensified over whether a change could be made in the dugout, with several potential candidates being discussed as possible replacements.

Russell Martin emerges as serious candidate for Ibrox hot seat

Russell Martin, who had a brief spell as a Rangers player in 2018, has now emerged as a strong contender for the job, with reports suggesting that the Southampton boss is being seriously considered by the club hierarchy. The former Scotland international has impressed with his possession-based football at Southampton, guiding the club into the Championship promotion race, and his connections to Rangers make him an intriguing option should Clement be relieved of his duties.

Martin, who previously managed MK Dons and Swansea City, has long been an admirer of the club and has spoken in the past about the intensity of the Glasgow football scene. While it remains to be seen whether Rangers would be able to tempt him away from Southampton, his name is being mentioned in conversations regarding a possible managerial change.

Barry Ferguson tipped for interim role until the end of the season

Another name being linked to the Ibrox hot seat is former captain Barry Ferguson, who is reportedly set to be offered the chance to lead the club on an interim basis until the end of the season. Ferguson, who was a key part of Rangers’ success as a player, has previously held managerial roles with Clyde and Kelty Hearts, and while he has yet to manage at a higher level, his understanding of the club and his leadership qualities make him an option under consideration.

Ferguson has regularly spoken about the need for Rangers to show more fight and determination, and his potential appointment would likely be aimed at bringing a sense of unity and passion back to the dressing room after recent disappointing performances.

Steven Gerrard linked with sensational return to Rangers

Steven Gerrard, who led Rangers to their famous 55th league title in 2021, has also been linked with a return to Ibrox following his departure from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. The former Liverpool legend was the early favourite to replace Clement should Rangers opt for a change, with some within the club hierarchy believing that his previous success and familiarity with the squad could provide an immediate lift.

Gerrard’s first spell at Ibrox saw him build a side that ended Celtic’s dominance and delivered an unbeaten league campaign, and while his tenure ended in 2021 when he left for Aston Villa, he remains highly regarded among some sections of the Rangers support. However, it remains to be seen whether a return would be feasible, given how things ended in his previous spell.

Other names in the frame as Rangers consider managerial options

Alongside Martin, Ferguson, and Gerrard, other names linked to the position include Norwich City first-team coach Jack Wilshere, who has been making strides in coaching since retiring from playing. Wilshere, a former Arsenal and England international, is reportedly an outside candidate but is viewed as a potential long-term project if Rangers decide to move in a new direction.

Meanwhile, Alex Rae, Neil McCann, Kevin Thomson, and current Rangers assistant Issame Charai have all been mentioned as possible options. Rae and McCann both have strong connections to the club, while Thomson has been working in youth coaching and could be considered if Rangers look to go with someone who knows the club’s inner workings.

Mikael Mandron reveals St Mirren’s belief ahead of Ibrox victory

St Mirren striker Mikael Mandron has admitted that he and his teammates believed they were going to get opportunities to beat Rangers before he scored the opening goal in their 2-0 win at Ibrox.

Speaking after the match, Mandron revealed that St Mirren went into the game with full confidence that they could exploit Rangers’ weaknesses and secure a result that would boost their hopes of a top-six finish.

Mandron told the Daily Record: “We knew if we stayed compact, we’d get chances. Rangers have quality, but we believed we could hurt them on the counter and that’s exactly what we did. We worked hard, stayed disciplined, and got our reward.”

His goal, which put St Mirren in control of the game, came at a time when Rangers were struggling to create chances, and his performance helped highlight some of the issues Rangers have been facing in recent matches.

Additional Scottish football news

• Crystal Palace are interested in signing Liverpool’s 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. The highly-rated youngster has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, but Palace are keen to bring him in. (Alan Nixon – subscription required)
• Hearts head coach Neil Critchley has explained that midfielder Cammy Devlin was left out of Sunday’s win over St Johnstone due to not being fully fit following a head injury. Devlin was expected to return but was not quite ready to feature. (Edinburgh Evening News – subscription required)
• Hibernian’s win over Celtic at the weekend has given the club confidence ahead of their Scottish Cup meeting with Brendan Rodgers’ side next month, with Kieron Bowie stating that the team believes they can cause another upset. (Daily Record)
• Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin believes that forwards Oday Dabbagh and Kevin Nisbet could form a formidable strike partnership for the club moving forward. (Press and Journal – subscription required)

With Rangers now facing a critical period in their season, all eyes will be on whether the club decides to make a managerial change, with several candidates being linked to the job as the pressure mounts on Philippe Clement.

In other news, BBC Pundit Delivers Harsh Reality Check for Rangers Fans Amid Celtic’s Premiership Lead