Danny Wilson’s perspective on Rangers’ current predicament carries significant weight, especially given his own experiences with returning to Ibrox after a spell away. His journey is a prime example of how returning to a former club can be both rewarding and risky. While his second stint at Rangers played a role in helping them reclaim their place in the Scottish Premiership, his warning about bringing back Steven Gerrard highlights the dangers of trying to relive past success. In football, nostalgia often clouds judgment, and while some managerial returns have been successful, many have ended in disappointment.

Wilson’s first spell at Rangers came during a much more stable era in the club’s history. Having come through the youth academy, he broke into the first team under Walter Smith and formed a solid partnership with veteran defender David Weir. His performances earned him a move to Liverpool in 2010, but like many young players who leave Scotland for a bigger league too soon, he found first-team opportunities scarce. His career stalled, and after unsuccessful loan spells, he returned to Scotland with Hearts, where he managed to rebuild his confidence. By the time Rangers approached him about a return in 2015, the club was still climbing back from the depths of Scottish football following its financial collapse and subsequent demotion to the Third Division.

At that time, Rangers were in turmoil. Stuart McCall had failed to lead them back to the Premiership, suffering a humiliating 6-1 aggregate defeat to Motherwell in the play-offs. The club was struggling both on and off the pitch, and Wilson had to think carefully about whether returning to Ibrox was the right move for his career. He had offers from other clubs in the UK and abroad, and given the instability at Rangers, it was not an easy decision. However, the appointment of Mark Warburton as manager, along with Wilson’s former defensive partner David Weir as assistant, helped convince him to return. It was a risk, but one that ultimately paid off, as he played a key role in helping Rangers win the Championship and finally return to the top flight.

Fast forward to 2025, and Rangers find themselves in another crisis, albeit under very different circumstances. The appointment of Philippe Clement was seen as a step toward long-term stability, but after their embarrassing Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park, his position is under intense scrutiny. Some fans, desperate for a turnaround, have called for the return of Steven Gerrard, the man who led Rangers to their historic 55th league title in 2021, stopping Celtic’s quest for ten-in-a-row. However, Wilson’s warning against re-hiring Gerrard is a stark reminder that football rarely follows the same script twice.

Gerrard’s time at Rangers was, in many ways, a success. He inherited a club that had been playing catch-up to Celtic for years and transformed them into title winners. Under his guidance, Rangers built a strong, well-drilled side that dominated the league in the 2020/21 season, going unbeaten in the Premiership and finishing with 102 points. He also improved Rangers’ reputation in Europe, guiding them to the knockout stages of the Europa League on multiple occasions. However, his tenure was not without its flaws. Rangers consistently struggled in domestic cup competitions under Gerrard, failing to win either the Scottish Cup or the League Cup. Their inability to perform in knockout tournaments was a major criticism, and many questioned whether Gerrard’s style of management was too focused on long-term projects rather than the immediate demands of winning trophies.

Another significant factor in the debate over Gerrard’s return is how his career has unfolded since leaving Ibrox. His decision to leave Rangers for Aston Villa in the middle of the 2021/22 season was met with mixed reactions. While some understood his ambition to manage in the Premier League, others felt he had abandoned the club just as they were entering a crucial period. His time at Villa started well but quickly unraveled, and he was sacked in October 2022 after a poor run of results. Following that, he took over at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, a move that surprised many and suggested that his managerial career was losing momentum. Reports from Saudi football suggest that he has struggled to make a significant impact, leading to questions about whether he is still the right man for a club with Rangers’ ambitions.

Wilson’s warning is rooted in these concerns. While it’s easy to look back at Gerrard’s tenure and remember the highs, there are no guarantees that a second spell would be as successful. The Rangers squad of 2025 is different from the one Gerrard built, and the challenges facing the club now are not the same as they were when he first arrived in 2018. Football is constantly evolving, and managers who were successful in one era do not always adapt well to new circumstances.

There is also the issue of expectation. If Gerrard were to return, he would not be coming back as a fresh face looking to build something new—he would be returning as the man expected to replicate past glories. The pressure would be immense, and any failure to immediately turn things around would lead to even greater scrutiny. Rangers need to consider whether they are making a decision based on logic or emotion.

Wilson’s cautionary stance suggests that Rangers would be better off looking forward rather than backward. While Gerrard’s first spell had its merits, the club should focus on finding a manager who can take them to the next level rather than trying to recapture a moment that has already passed. If Philippe Clement’s time is indeed coming to an end, Rangers must be strategic in their next appointment, ensuring they bring in someone who can offer fresh ideas and long-term success.

What do you think? Should Rangers take the gamble on Gerrard, or is it time to find a new direction?