An issue which has caused some consternation in the recent past among Rangers fans has come to the fore again after Newcastle last night 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.

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, Press Association understands, 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 Gers fans would now, in light of the club's financial problems, have to be considered, if reluctantly.

He told Press Association Sport: "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.

"It looks like sizeable chunks of income ain't going to come from anywhere else so it has to be considered.

"What are the options in this current climate? There are not a lot of choices in reality.

"Fans would resist and I understand that but I think that there is a realisation now and ultimately, the fabric of the stadium is not going to change."

General secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, John MacMillan, admits that he, too, has become a realist with regards what might have to be done to attract investment into the club.

He told Press Association Sport: "It's got to be on the cards, hard as it may be for the fans to take.

"It won't go down well but if it happens it will be something that we have to get on with.

"We have to look at every avenue for revenue, there is no question of that and substantial amounts of money are not to be sneezed at.

"The bottom line is the fans will be disappointed but we have to face up to that possibility."