Rumours persist that Steven Gerrard is the favourite to return to Rangers to become the club’s next manager after Sunday’s sacking of Russell Martin following a 1-1 draw away to Falkirk.
Gerrard has mentioned that he has “unfinished business” in management and would be open to listening to offers, including a return to Ibrox.
The former Liverpool captain departed Rangers the first time on November 11th, 2021, four days after his final match in charge to date, a 4-2 home win over Ross County on November 7th with goals from Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent and Juninho Bacuna preceding a late own goal from County defender Alex Iacovitti.
This is where that starting XI are now.
Allan McGregor
Outstanding in the 55-winning season the year before and a true Rangers legend, the cracks had already begun to show in McGregor’s game early that campaign, with a late mistake at home to Hearts costing the Gers three points late on.
He would recover his form in Europe with some stunning saves as Rangers, under Gerrards successor Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, reached the 2022 Europa League final in Seville. However, his league form would tail off, with errors away to Ross County costing the club another vital three points as they failed to retain the title.
He would carry on for another season, producing some memorable saves against Liverpool at Anfield, and a duo of penalty saves at home to Napoli in the UEFA Champions League, but he was clearly on the decline and would retire in May that year, returning briefly as goalkeeping coach during former teammate Barry Ferguson’s interim spell in charge last season.
He is now involved in some punditry but mainly keeps a low profile.
James Tavernier
Spoiler alert: Tavernier is the only player from this squad still at Ibrox four years on, though his influence has waned. Now approaching 34, the long-serving captain remains a model professional, even as questions grow over his defensive legs and ability to lead a new generation.
With over 400 appearances to his name, he looks set to see out his contract before likely moving into coaching or heading abroad for a final payday following his testimonial this summer, unless a reunion with Stevie G can spark a remarkable Indian summer for the skipper.
Connor Goldson
Goldson’s consistency and availability under Gerrard and Van Bronckhorst made him an indispensable figure in defence, but repeated injuries began to take their toll from 2023 onwards. After struggling under Phillipe Clement, he was allowed to depart last summer and joined Aris Limmasol. There, he’s rediscovered form and leadership, becoming a steadying presence in the Cypriot topflight, and sparking a Rangers reunion camp abroad.
Leon Balogun
The Nigerian international actually departed Rangers after the Seville run and the 2022 Scottish Cup final victory over Hearts but rejoined Rangers under Michael Beale in 2023, providing short-term cover but never fully reclaiming his earlier form due to a succession of injuries but did add a League Cup winners medal to complete his Scottish trophy haul.
After leaving again in 2025, he reunited with former defensive partner Goldson at Aris in Cyprus.
Known for his professionalism and media insight, he’s already tipped for a future in punditry or management.
Calvin Bassey
Bassey’s meteoric rise from fringe player during the 55-season to Europa League final standout the next, earned him a £20 million+ move to Ajax in 2022. A turbulent spell in Amsterdam ended with a transfer to Fulham, where his power and recovery pace saw him establish himself as a Premier League regular.
Still only 25, Bassey remains one of Rangers’ most profitable modern exports, and a player whose sale arguably marked the start of the club’s gradual regression to where we are now.
John Lundstram
Lundstram’s form dipped after his Europa League semi-final heroics later that season, but he remained a steady midfield presence until his departure in 2024.
He joined Turkish Pro League side Trabzonspor on a free transfer, alongside Borna Barisic, but after a mixed year abroad he returned to England this summer, agreeing a year-long loan deal with Hull City, never quite reclaiming his ‘best on Earth’ status.
Joe Aribo
The Nigerian playmaker who scored the goal in Seville’s departure to Southampton in 2022 coincided with Rangers’ creative decline. After a bright start on the south coast, his influence waned during their Premier League relegation campaign under Martin and he has since found himself out the squad under Will Still this year, and could reunite with Gerrard if the time is right.
Juninho Bacuna
Bacuna’s time at Ibrox was short-lived, his flair never quite translating into consistency. Sold to Birmingham City in January 2022 after not playing much under either Gerrard or GVB.
A spell in Saudi Arabia followed and he is now in Turkey at just 28.
Ianis Hagi
Injury cruelly curtailed Hagi’s development after a promising spell under Gerrard, but he never quite recaptured his pre-injury spark.
Dropped and loaned out by Michael Beale and forced to train with the B team for a spell under Clement due to a contract dispute, he made a return to the team last season, netting against Celtic at New Year, but his form, along with the whole team, curtailed badly as the season progressed and he departed in the summer.
Now back in Turkey with Alanyaspor, despite a tenuous link to a return under Martin, he occasionally reminds fans of the vision and technique that once made him a cult favourite at Ibrox, with a free-kick last week being highlighted online.
Ryan Kent
Kent’s 2023 exit on a free transfer to Fenerbahçe ended a five-year stint defined by electric highs and frustrating inconsistency. His Turkish adventure started brightly before form and fitness issues struck.
Now playing in the MLS with Seattle Sounders at just 28, he has never reached the heights once expected of him. Is he another that could be on Gerrard’s list to return should he be reappointed manager?
Fashion Sakala
The Zambian forward’s effervescent personality made him a fan favourite, but his end product was too erratic for sustained success at Rangers.
Since a switch to Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia in 2023, he’s become a reliable scorer in the Pro League and has become the club’s all time leading goal scorer in the Saudi top flight.
Time moves fast in football, and even faster at Rangers, as evidenced by the much-changed squad now taking to the Ibrox pitch.
That side Gerrard led out against Ross County in November 2021 feels both recent and distant - a team caught between the elation of “55” and the downward sprial that followed just eight months after his sudden departure.
Some went on to thrive elsewhere, others drifted quietly away, but together they represent a fleeting moment when belief and identity briefly aligned at Ibrox.
As talk of Gerrard’s return gathers pace, the echoes of that night serve as a reminder of how much has changed, and how much, perhaps, he will have to put right.