Seven years on from his first game in charge of Rangers, former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard is the leading favourite to be named as the club’s next manager.
Following the sacking of head coach Russell Martin last week, the club’s new American owners are hot on the search for their next manager as they look to find a remedy to their disastrous start to the new league season. Sitting eighth in the table, they have just one win from their first seven games. Would the return of Gerrard see an upturn in fortunes?
His first spell, best remembered for the history 55th title win during the 2020/21 win, Gerrard’s first competitive game in charge came on Thursday 12 July 2018, as Rangers welcomed Macedonian outfit Shkupi at Ibrox in a Europa League first leg qualifier, which they won 2-0 thanks to strikes from Jamie Murphy and James Tavernier.
But where are the starting XI from Gerrard’s first Rangers game now? Here’s what happened to every player who featured in the Liverpool legends' first game in charge of Rangers:
13. Sub: Glenn Middleton
One of Scotland's most highly-rated youngsters at the time, Gerrard handed Middleton his competitive debut against Shkupi. He featured a further 15 times for the club that season, scoring two goals. However, he gradually fell out of the first team picture, moving on loan to Hibs, Bradford City and St Johnstone (where he won the Scottish Cup) before leaving permanently to join Dundee United in 2022. Spent three seasons at Tannadice, but left to sign for Doncaster Rovers in June. | SNS Group
14. Sub: Ovie Ejaria
A loan signing from the Liverpool academy, Ejaria arrived at Ibrox with promise but ultimately failed to deliver. His loan spell was cut short and he later joined Reading in EFL Championship. He featured regularly for the Royals for three seasons but fell out of favour last year and reached a mutual agreement to end his contract in December 2023. Spent two seasons out of the game, but returned to sign for La Liga club Oviedo, where he has played three times in La Liga. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images