Rangers crush Aberdeen thanks to Boyd treble

Kris Boyd's first-half hat-trick helped Rangers tighten their grip on second spot in the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 home win over third-placed Aberdeen yesterday.

The Scotland striker grabbed his first in the eighth minute with a fine header from 10 metres following Allan Hutton's cross.

Boyd crashed in a low shot in the 25th minute and six minutes later a fine move involving Barry Ferguson and Nacho Novo set him up for his third.

Rangers have 61 points from 31 matches, seven ahead of Aberdeen. Leaders Celtic, on 74 points, play their game in hand at Falkirk this afternoon.

"We played very well," Rangers manager Walter Smith told BBC Radio. "There was some good football.

"Although the game went down a bit (in the second half) we had chances to add to our lead."

Hearts humiliated

Hearts crashed 4-0 at home to Dundee United thanks to Barry Robson's second-half hat-trick and a goal from Noel Hunt.

Senegalese midfielder Ibrahim Tall of Hearts and United's David Robertson were sent off after clashing in the 34th minute.

Bottom club Dunfermline Athletic won 3-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, recording their first league victory in 16 matches despite having Tam McManus sent off in the last minute.

Today, Kilmarnock meet Hibernian in the League Cup final at Hampden Park.