Rangers fans accept renaming Ibrox a possibility

RANGERS owner 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 fans has come to the fore again 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.

Businessman Whyte, who took over the cash-strapped Ibrox club from Sir David Murray in May, has other, more pressing concerns at the moment. A tax tribunal in which Rangers are challenging a bill for £49million has resumed this week. The outcome will have a material effect on the Scottish champions’ future with the spectre of administration hanging over the club in the meantime.

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Whyte has said that he is duty-bound to consider all cash-raising options, one of which, it is understood, is attracting a sponsor for the historic Govan stadium at some point in the future.

Andy Kerr, President of the Rangers Supporters Assembly, believes what was once unthinkable among fans would now, in light of the club’s financial problems, have to be considered, if reluctantly. He said: “I saw the Newcastle story. Realistically, something that would give the club a big injection of capital would be foolhardy to turn down.”

General secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, John MacMillan, agreed: “It’s got to be on the cards, hard as it may be for the fans to take.”