Four Rangers players walk suspension tightrope ahead of Old Firm derby including Nicolas Raskin

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Rangers have two in form sides to overcome before they can even think about pegging back Celtic on the 2^nd of January.

The New Year Old Firm derby is matchday 19 of the Scottish Premiership fixture list, one that might not stand out for many, however, for Philippe Clement as manager, it is when those walking a suspension tight rope can breathe a sigh of relief. 

Make it past Celtic unscathed and the yellow card count threshold gets doubled and the risk of an immediate ban subsides with the following Rangers players currently skating on thin ice. 

• READ MORE: Philippe Clement tight-lipped on potential Rangers return for £4m League One star

Rangers quartet facing suspension tightrope

The SFA laws are clear; six accumulated cautions mean that a player will receive a one match ban. 

St Mirren are up first, then Motherwell, in what could be two physical games for Rangers to navigate.

In terms of those who are in danger of missing a game, should they fall on the wrong side of the officials again, there are four in the squad who will do well to make it through the next couple of games. 

Nicolas Raskin is on five, which makes him one game away from suspension, with Robin Propper, Dujon Sterling and Jefte all on four.

It wouldn’t take much for most of the current defence and Rangers best defensive midfielder to all be missing at the same time. 

With John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo injured, the last thing Clement would want is for a centre half to be suspended.

Could Rangers be in danger of losing players for the derby?

There is some good news though, according to the SFA’s rules and regulations, the ban isn’t immediate, instead, 14-days must pass between the sixth yellow card and when the player is forced to miss a game.

What this means is that, unless issued a red card, none of the players named above will miss the Old Firm derby due to it being less than 14-days from the St Mirren clash.

You can guarantee, if this clause wasn’t in place, that Raskin would be doing something to make sure he misses the Motherwell game instead of what could be a pivotal game of the season.