RAY WILKINS has expressed bemusement over the negative reaction from supporters' groups to Mike Ashley's increased involvement at Rangers and claimed "the sky is the limit" for his former club under the English billionaire.

The Union of Fans collective have accused the Ibrox board of betraying the fanbase by effectively handing power to Ashley by accepting a £2m loan. The group believe the Newcastle United owner will now control commercial revenues without actually investing a single penny.

However, with an agreement to install two of his own men on the board and with Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, the head of brands at his leisurewear company Sports Direct, now employed as consultants, there are noises from within Ibrox about Ashley taking a role in restructuring the club's finances for the better.

Wilkins, who enjoyed a successful two-year spell at Ibrox under Graeme Souness, believes the arrival of the 50-year-old tycoon is good news for Rangers and that he ought to be welcomed with open arms following the tumult of the past three years.

"The sky is the limit," predicted Wilkins, speaking on Talksport radio. "I don't really see where Rangers supporters are coming from. I am sure Ally McCoist will be delighted at Ashley getting involved with Rangers. I just think anybody who is prepared to help an institution get back to its former self should be welcomed into the club."

Meanwhile, McCoist has reported that a CT scan on goalkeeper Steve Simonsen has shown no signs of damage after he was taken off the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace during the second half of Rangers' 1-0 win over St Johnstone in their League Cup quarter-final.

Simonsen hit his head off a post when producing a fine save from a Brian Graham header and the chances of him playing in Saturday's trip to Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup are said to be slim. "Steve's as well as we could have hoped for," said McCoist. "The scan showed positive results. He had big swelling on the left-hand side of his head which, thankfully, has gone down a little bit. He's a serious doubt for Saturday."

Should Simonsen fail to make the line-up, Lee Robinson will deputise.

Meanwhile, Nicky Law has taken to Twitter to apologise to Murray Davidson for injuring him at Ibrox on Tuesday night. Law's boot split Davidson eye open and the Rangers midfielder contacted his St Johnstone counterpart through the social networking site to apologise.

"No problem, mate. Everything seems okay, so shouldn't be out too long," replied Davidson. "Thanks for the message!"