CRAIG WHYTE will consider the possibility of renaming Ibrox – although the idea is not actively being discussed at the moment.

An issue which has caused some consternation in the recent past among Rangers supporters came to the fore again yesterday after Newcastle announced their St James' Park ground is to now be called the Sports Direct Arena – named after owner Mike Ashley's retail company – until a permanent sponsor can be found in a move they believe could generate £10million a year.

Gers owner Whyte has other more pressing concerns at the moment, with a tax tribunal in which the club are challenging an HMRC bill for £49million resuming this week.

But with Scottish football continuing on a downward trend both on and off the park, Whyte has said that he is duty-bound to consider all cash-raising options, one of which is attracting a stadium sponsor at some point in time.

Whyte said: "All options are open in the future and we would examine any ideas if they were commercially worthwhile.

"So far, though, it has never been discussed and no offers have been made."

Andy Kerr, president of the Rangers Supporters' Assembly, believes what was once unthinkable among Gers fans would now, in light of the club's financial problems, have to be considered, if reluctantly.

He said: "I saw the Newcastle story this morning and the initial reaction to the same thing happening at Ibrox, when you look at the background and history of the stadium, is never ever.

"But you have to have a look at it from a wider perspective, and look at it from where we are in financial terms.

"Realistically, something that would give the club a big injection of capital would be foolhardy to turn down."

Meanwhile, Whyte looks set to face shareholders at the club's AGM on Monday, December 19.

That is the date pencilled in for the meeting at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.

It is believed Rangers' latest books will be signed off in the next few days.