It’s a week of swirling rumors, managerial intrigue, and transfer speculation in British football, with the spotlight shining brightest on Rangers and the potential return of Steven Gerrard as head coach. As the Ibrox faithful wait with bated breath, the club’s leadership is reportedly pulling out all the stops to bring back the man who led them to Scottish Premiership glory in 2021. But Gerrard isn’t the only name making headlines—former England striker Jermain Defoe, a prolific scorer with deep ties to both Rangers and Tottenham, is also at the center of the discussion, with recent comments from Darren Bent reigniting debate about his legacy and missed opportunities at Manchester United.
On October 9, 2025, reports from multiple sources confirmed that Steven Gerrard was due to arrive in London the previous evening to hold talks with Rangers regarding their vacant head coach position. According to Sky Sports, the club is eager to gauge whether Gerrard can be convinced to return to the helm after the abrupt departure of Russell Martin. The 45-year-old is said to be keen on the job, but only if he’s given assurances about January transfer funds and final authority over all squad-building decisions.
Gerrard’s demands aren’t simply about control; he’s also looking to assemble a formidable backroom team. As reported by TeamTalk, he plans to recruit at least four trusted staff members if a deal is struck. Among those tipped to join him are his former assistant Gary McAllister, ex-Rangers midfielder Steven Davis, and none other than Jermain Defoe, the former Ibrox striker whose coaching credentials have grown since hanging up his boots. This potential reunion of familiar faces has fans buzzing, with many wondering if the blend of experience and club loyalty could spark another golden era at Ibrox.
While the managerial saga unfolds, Rangers’ first-team players not on international duty returned to training under the stewardship of youth coaches Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Sal Bibbo, and Rhys Owen. The temporary arrangement follows the sacking of Russell Martin, who failed to deliver the consistency expected by the club’s hierarchy. Meanwhile, the search for new leadership extends beyond the senior squad—Rangers are also targeting Wolverhampton Wanderers academy manager Jonathan Hunter-Barrett to head up their Auchenhowie academy, signaling a commitment to long-term youth development.
The managerial uncertainty is already having ripple effects on player personnel. Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering recalling 18-year-old winger Mikey Moore from his loan spell at Rangers, with the decision likely hinging on who takes over at Ibrox and whether Moore is given more playing time. This highlights the delicate balance between nurturing young talent and satisfying the strategic goals of both parent and loan clubs.
Across town, Hearts have their own drama to contend with. Head coach Derek McInnes has moved quickly to reassure supporters of his commitment to the club, despite whispers that Rangers may be interested in luring their former midfielder back to Glasgow. In a statement reported by the Edinburgh Evening News, McInnes made it clear that he’s focused on building for the future at Tynecastle, not seeking an exit. The club’s stability is further underlined by ongoing contract talks with midfielder Cammy Devlin, who insists he’s in no hurry to leave and would love to stay. Hearts have seen their squad market value rise by £1.75 million over the past year, a testament to shrewd management and player development, while rivals Aberdeen have experienced a £0.95 million drop.
Aberdeen’s captain, Graeme Shinnie, has praised manager Jimmy Thelin’s calm approach amid the team’s early season form. According to the Press and Journal, Shinnie credits Thelin’s steady hand with keeping the squad focused despite external pressures, a quality that could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
The transfer market continues to churn, with notable moves and near-misses making headlines. Stevie Mallan, for instance, revealed he nearly signed for Raith Rovers after training with them during pre-season, only to join St Johnstone when Raith hesitated. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough forward David Strelec, who left Slovan Bratislava this summer, disclosed that his only viable options were Middlesbrough and Monterrey, as a potential move to Celtic fell through due to agent complications.
Speaking of Celtic, data analytics firm SciSports has identified Ajax midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim as a perfect fit for the Scottish champions, even as the club’s overall squad value dropped by £3.86 million in the past year. Despite this, Celtic remain £24.48 million more valuable than Rangers, whose squad value has dipped slightly to £90.65 million. It’s a reminder that, in the high-stakes world of football finance, every decision—from transfers to managerial appointments—can have a profound impact on a club’s competitive standing.
On the international front, Scotland’s women’s team enjoyed a moment of triumph as Caroline Weir scored twice in Real Madrid’s emphatic 6-2 Women’s Champions League victory over Roma. The men’s national team, however, faces a potential stumbling block in their World Cup qualifier against Greece, with the appointment of controversial Norwegian referee Espen Eskas—no stranger to contentious calls in Scottish fixtures—casting a shadow over preparations. Belarus head coach Carlos Alos has also weighed in, arguing that their qualifier with Scotland should have been played at a neutral venue due to his players’ UK visa issues.
Elsewhere, former England manager Sam Allardyce has expressed interest in one day managing Scotland, citing his Scottish roots and a desire to take on the challenge. And at Dundee United, manager Jim Goodwin is determined to help Australia defender Ryan Strain realize his World Cup ambitions, underscoring the interconnectedness of domestic and international football aspirations.
Amid all this, the legacy of Jermain Defoe continues to spark debate. On October 8, 2025, ITV Sport pundit Darren Bent reignited discussion by declaring that Manchester United missed out on signing a top-class Tottenham striker—not Harry Kane, but Defoe himself. Bent told talkSPORT, "I think we spoke about him before, didn’t we? I was having a look earlier about some of the strikers. I was looking at Man United, for instance. Seeing where he could have gone, and the amount of strikers. I mean, I can’t find the list, but he was better than what was at United at that time. Like, come on. His finishing with both feet, scary. He could run in behind. He could hold the ball up. Technically, he’s one of the best."
Defoe, who scored 163 Premier League goals for clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, and Sunderland, came close to joining United in 2004. Ultimately, he moved to Spurs for £7 million after Louis Saha had already joined United, scoring seven goals in his first ten matches. Defoe later reflected, "Louis Saha had gone to United already and he was on fire." Had Saha failed to settle, football history might look very different today.
As Rangers ponder a return to the Gerrard era and British football’s transfer rumor mill spins on, the days ahead promise plenty of twists and turns. With managerial decisions looming and player moves in the balance, supporters across Scotland and beyond can be sure of one thing: the beautiful game never stands still.