Before Rangers can consider pegging back Celtic on January 2, they must defeat two teams that are currently playing well.
On matchday 19 of the Scottish Premiership schedule, the New Year Old Firm derby may not be particularly noteworthy to many, but for manager Philippe Clement, it is a moment of relaxation for those on a tight suspension.
The following Rangers players are now skating on thin ice; if you make it past Celtic without getting sent off, the number of yellow cards you receive is doubled, and you no longer face the possibility of an instant ban.
Rangers foursome treading carefully on suspension
The SFA has clear rules: a player will be banned for one match if they receive six cautions in a row.
Rangers may have to handle two physically demanding games as St Mirren and Motherwell take the field first and second, respectively.
There are four players in the team who will do well to survive the upcoming games, but they still face the possibility of missing a match if they run afoul of the authorities once more.
With Robin Propper, Dujon Sterling, and Jefte all on four, Nicolas Raskin is on five and one game away from punishment.
It would not take much for Rangers’ finest defensive midfield player and the majority of the present defenders to be absent at the same moment.
A centre half being suspended is the last thing Clement would want given the injuries to John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
Is it possible that Rangers will lose players for the derby?
The good news is that, in accordance with SFA rules and regulations, the player must wait 14 days after receiving their sixth yellow card before being forced to miss a game.
Because the Old Firm derby is fewer than 14 days from the St Mirren match, none of the players listed above will miss it unless they receive a red card.
Raskin would undoubtedly take steps to ensure he misses the Motherwell match rather than what could be a crucial match of the season if this clause didn’t exist.
