RANGERS skipper Lee McCulloch was today warned he could struggle to force his way back into the first team at Ibrox when he completes his ban.

McCulloch was ordered off for a reckless forearm smash on Osman Sow in the SPFL Championship match at Hearts on Sunday.

The 36-year-old received a straight red card from referee Bobby Madden for a challenge he made just before half-time - when his side was leading 2-0.

And he will now miss the massive league showdown with play-off contenders Queen of the South at Palmerston Park on Thursday.

Former Rangers captain and defender Craig Paterson was working at Ibrox as a pundit for BBC Radio Scotland at the weekend.

He felt Stuart McCall's backline performed well in the second half of a game against the second tier champions they ended up winning 2-1.

Bilel Mohsni came on at the start of the second half and excelled alongside Darren McGregor, Marius Zaliukas and Lee Wallace.

And Paterson reckons McCulloch, who is out of contract at the end of the 2014/15 campaign, may have a fight on his hands to reclaim his place in the side.

He said: "At this stage in the season, it is just about getting the job done. The Rangers goalkeeper and the back four did really, really well after their captain got sent off.

"Bilel Mohsni came in and played really well. Sometimes he is guilty of overplaying and getting into trouble at the back. But when he sets out to defend he can do well.

"As a manager, you are not wanting your back five to chop and change that much. If they have got a bit of form and confidence then I think you have to keep going with it.

"They should simply focus on now giving anything away at the back safe in the knowledge they have enough quality players in midfield and up front and are capable of scoring goals.

"I am sure the back five will be told the performance in the second half against Hearts on Sunday is what is required between now and the end of the season.

"They will be asked to replicate that 45 minutes in the games they have coming up between now and the end of the season. It is exactly what they need to do."

Paterson added: "Queen of the South got a good result against Hibs at the weekend. They have to win games to get into the play-offs .

"But the second half performance against Hearts will encourage Stuart.

"If Rangers avoid defeat then will Lee be brought back in when he becomes available again? It would be difficult to drop anybody in that team."

Meanwhile, Paterson has backed Madden's decision to show McCulloch a straight red for his challenge on Sow.

He said: "You lead with your arm to protect yourself when you go in for a 50/50 ball, but if you get there a bit late it looks bad.

"He is probably the most experienced player on the park. He has played at international level, in Europe, has won leagues and cups.

"But if you are desperate for a result you sometimes do daft things. It was absolutely vital for Rangers to win against Hearts if they are going to finish in second place in the league.

"Lee made a split second decision and paid the price for it. You could tell by his reaction how disappointed he was in himself."