We’ve been hearing this on the wire in recent weeks, and the media have started to pick up on it, and that is the simmering story that this season will be Steven Gerrard’s final at Ibrox.

Whether you believe that to be accurate or not, Gerrard has been at Ibrox for approaching four years now, which is the third longest behind Walter Smith’s second reign and Alex McLeish’s, literally since 9IAR.

There’s no question Gerrard has given Rangers a lot – mistakes, triumphs, and 55 not to mention two sensational European runs.

If this is to be his last season at Ibrox, it’s not like we as fans should melt in rage or immediately shake with shock – 4 years is a long time in football, with just 8 managers in our entire history being longer than that.

And there are a lot of murmurs now brewing about Stevie thinking seriously about calling it a day after this season.

Of course, a lot can happen over the course of a season. Stevie could win 56 and decide to stick around for more, or he could win 56 and decide to move on in glory.

What we would certainly say is if we don’t win the league this season, his exit is pretty certain.

But that’s ifs and buts either way, and we don’t pretend we have ITK info on this one. The only one who knows is Stevie himself and he probably isn’t fully decided yet.

But 4 years is a long time to effectively be away from your family, and Gerrard’s sacrifices for this club cannot be forgotten should he throw in the towel next summer.

Whether he stays or not, Stevie has been a breath of fresh air – yes, he’s been far from flawless, and he’s driven us nuts now and then, but the shock of Scottish football when Steven Gerrard became our manager, then when Steven Gerrard won 55 are worth it alone regardless of his decision.

But there are those increasing rumbles that he’s ready to move on.

If he is, he leaves with our best wishes frankly.

And he’ll always be one of us.