The bookies are suggesting Gerrard is back out in front as favourite to replace Russell Martin
Stevem Gerrard led Rangers doing the Scottish Premiership title during his time at the club(Image: Getty Images)
Odds are surging on an astonishing Rangers U-turn for Steven Gerrard – who is once again the frontrunner in the eyes of bookies.
The former Ibrox boss told them no on Saturday night after two days of talks and so far there’s been nothing firm to suggest he’s had a rethink dramatic enough to return to the table.
But oddsmakers seem to have other ideas.
On Wednesday morning, Gerrard was a rank outsider with Kevin Muscat out in front as the favourite.
But he’s gone from north of 10/1 to 5/4 with most bookmakers and the eyebrow-raising surge has even seen him narrowly overtake Muscat as some bookies’ favourite for the job.
Betting patterns are likely to be the driving force for the sea change as so far we’ve had no firm information to suggest he is back in the frame.
Frank Lampard has been another manager talked up as a possible box office appointment but given how well he’s going with Coventry in the Championship, with a return to the Premier League firmly within their sights, that appears unlikely.
The Robins are top of the second tier down south with Lampard restoring much of his managerial reputation after tough stints with Chelsea and Everton.
And, with things going so well for him in the Midlands, he’s been urged by Arsenal hero Emmanuel Petit to give the Ibrox job a wide berth.
He told Boylesports: “Could Frank Lampard be tempted by Rangers? It’s a mess at Rangers. It’s been a mess since the takeover by the American, with the new manager and the way he left the club.
“I was very confused and embarrassed by the lack of support Russell Martin received from the club. The club made no statement beyond a simple thank you.
Emmanuel Petit
“What some fans have done, not all as the vast majority of Rangers fans don’t behave this way, is mob-like, and the club didn’t offer support or make any statements. That was very embarrassing.
“Honestly, with Steven Gerrard also being linked with a return to Rangers, I would tell Frank to stay where he is. He’s doing a great job and enjoying what he’s doing.
“If he were to change environments and go to Rangers, it wouldn’t be in a good environment. It would be a step back. He needs to keep focusing on what he’s doing.”
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers page, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.