Steven Gerrard will be hoping to turn things around at Ibrox in his second spell as Rangers manager. The former Liverpool captain has been drafted in to replace Russell Martin and will return to Glasgow for a new job. He was the last manager to lead Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title and led them to an unbeaten run in the league in 2020/21.
Gerrard was given his first chance to move into senior management by the Scottish giants, and the gamble certainly paid off. He left Rangers after a title-winning season and joined Aston Villa after being offered the job following the departure of Dean Smith. His last game as manager was a 4-2 win over Ross County, and Rangers used a very different starting XI to their current one.
Express Sport looks at how these players will fare in 2025…
allan mcgregor
The veteran goalkeeper has called an end to his career at the end of the 2022/23 season and is now retired. He was goalkeeping coach at Ibrox but left his role in the summer.
James Tavanier
The right-back will remain at Rangers and form a key part of Gerrard’s leadership group. He is likely to start next weekend against Dundee United as the new era begins.
conor goldson
Goldson left Rangers in the summer of 2024 after making nearly 200 appearances for the Scottish giants. The 32-year-old currently plays for Cyprus team Aris Limassol.
leon balogun
Balogun is also on Aris Limassol’s books, joining a year after Goldson moved to Cyprus. He has played every league game for his new club this season.
calvin bassey
The defender has taken his career to the next level since leaving Ibrox in 2022. He spent one season at Ajax before being snapped up by Fulham and is now a regular starter in the Premier League.
John Lundstram
Lundstram left Rangers last year and joined Turkish club Trabzonspor. He remains on contract but is currently on loan to Championship side Hull City.
Joe Aribo
Aribo also plays in English football’s second tier with Southampton, the club he joined after leaving Rangers in 2022. He made 32 appearances in the Premier League last season, when Saints were immediately relegated.
Juninho Bacuna
Bakuna currently plays for Turkish side Gaziantep FK, having joined from Saudi side Al-Vehda earlier this year. He initially left Rangers and signed for Birmingham City in the summer of 2022.
Yiannis Hagi
Hagi had huge potential during his time at Ibrox but has struggled to realize that potential. He currently plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor and is a regular member of the Romanian national team.
fashion sakara
The tricky forward is currently at Al Faiha, the Saudi club he joined after leaving Ibrox in 2023. He is the record scorer in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing the previous benchmark in January.
ryan kent
Kent is the only member of this Rangers team to immigrate to the United States, and the 28-year-old plays for the Seattle Sounders. He spent time in Türkiye with Fenerbahce before moving across the Atlantic last year.
