Barry Ferguson believes Steven Gerrard would turn down Aston Villa because he has unfinished business at Rangers.
It's understood the Ibrox boss is on the Premier League club's shortlist to replace Dean Smith following his departure on Sunday.
Gerrard is highly rated by Villa CEO Christian Purslow, who worked as Liverpool's managing director during the former Anfield captain's career on Merseyside.
The Rangers manager could have a monumental decision to make if Villa firm up their interest into a formal approach.
But Ibrox legend and Record Sport columnist Ferguson suspects Gerrard will want to win more trophies in Scotland before he eventually returns to England.
He told Go Radio: "Aston Villa, in the last couple of transfer windows, they've spent over £100m each window. There is the difference.
"My honest opinion: I think he himself will think, to go down there (to England), he still needs to win more trophies.
"At some stage he is going to leave, but I don't think it's now with the two jobs that have come up over the last few weeks, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
"I don't think now is the right time and I believe Steven Gerrard thinks that as well. We don't know, we're only speculating and time will tell. Gerrard is the only person who will know.
"But, in my opinion, he believes he needs to win or get more trophies before he makes that step to the Premier League, because it is going to happen.
"All Rangers fans have got to be realistic and know it will happen some time - but at this moment in time, I don't think it will."
Despite last season's Premiership title being arguably the most important of all the silverware he's competed for as Rangers manager, Gerrard has returned just one trophy from a potential nine.
And that's why Ferguson reckons his time to depart hasn't yet arrived.
He continued: "One trophy in nine, that's the reason why I think he'll stay, to go and get more. It was disappointing last year - League Cup quarter-final, out. Scottish Cup quarter-final, out.
"He knows he needs to add to his collection and try and retain the league, then his stock's even higher."
