NICKY LAW today insisted on-form Rangers can maintain their push for promotion without banned Ibrox skipper Lee McCulloch.

McCulloch will miss the massive SPFL Championship match against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park tonight.

The centre-half received a straight red card in the first half of the 2-1 win over champions Hearts on Sunday for a challenge on Osman Sow.

The 36-year-old won't be available to manager Stuart McCall for the league game against Raith Rovers at Ibrox on Sunday either.

Former Scotland internationalist McCulloch has only missed two of his side's matches in the entire 2014/15 campaign and he will be a huge loss.

Rangers crashed to a 2-0 defeat to Queens the last time they travelled to Palmerston Park back in December.

However, Law is confident the League One champions have adequate cover for their skipper in Darren McGregor, Bilel Mohsni and Marius Zaliukas.

He said: "To lose your captain is always tough. It's definitely a blow. He's a huge character for us on and off the park.

"But we have options. We have got people who can come in. Not only that, they can come in and do well for us.

"I think Bilel maybe thought he was harshly dropped on Sunday. So he will have a point to prove. Zal has been excellent as well.

"We are happy we have got options at the back - and good options as well. We've got people in form who can come in and do well in Lee's absence.

"You need to have a squad in order to cope with injuries and suspensions and we are optimistic that we can do so on this occasion and get the result we are looking for."

McCulloch has been heavily criticised by fans for his actions in the match against Championship winners Hearts at the weekend.

McCall's side were winning the meeting with their capital rivals 2-0 after dominating the first half and scoring through Kenny Miller and Haris Vuckic.

The ordering off of their captain jeopardised their chances of winning the game and moving above Hibs into second spot in the second tier table.

But Law has leapt to the defence of a player who is hoping to win an extension to his current contract when it expires this summer.

He believes the flashpoint showed how desperate the ex-Motherwell and Wigan Athletic man wanted his boyhood heroes to win the match.

And the midfielder expressed hope the Glasgow giants can extend their winning run to four games and move six points clear of Hibs in the Championship table.

He said: "Jig is such a Rangers man. He is so passionate about the club as we all know and wants the team to do well. He gets up for the big games. He is a leader.

"He probably did have a moment of madness, but it happens. He apologised to the players and we have moved on. What matters now is us winning this game in his absence. I am sure we can do it."