RUTHLESS Rangers regained a seven point lead over Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier Division yesterday.

Manager Walter Smith had Brian Laudrup largely to thank for three vital points as they defeated Jim Duffy's Hibernian at Ibrox.

Laudrup threaded the ball through the legs of Jim Leighton to make it 3-1 after Shaun Dennis's first goal for Hibs had given the visitors hope, following a Jorg Albertz penalty and Richard Gough's opener.

It eased the high anxiety rising around Ibrox after Celtic's win over Motherwell 24 hours earlier.

Hibs had David Elliot sent oft with 15 minutes left by referee Hugh Dallas for a foul on Derek McInnes.

Elliot will now be suspended when Hibs visit his former club Celtic on Wednesday in the Scottish Cup fourth round replay.

Rangers made an electrifying start, apparently determined to sweep Hibs away in the opening stages.

German Jorg Albertz unleashed one of his characteristic thunder bolts on the volley from a Trevor Steven pass and Leighton was relieved to divert the ball for a corner.

Hibs never cleared the flag kick and when Alex Cleland fed Laudrup the Dane crossed from the right and Gough met it with a powerful header to score from close range.

Rangers lost Steven after 31 minutes as the ex England man's injury curse struck again less than a game and a half into yet another comeback. McInnes was the substitute.

Hibs survived a series of lightning raids by Laudrup in the period before half time with Durie guilty again of some poor finishing.

But the Dane himself was wasteful when put through a minute before half time from a McInnes pass but his shot rolled wide with Leighton grounded.

Rangers added their second four minutes after the break as Albertz netted from the penalty spot.

Durie raced clear onto a long ball from Alan McLaren and was brought down from behind by Dennis.

Albertz beat Leighton from the spot to score for the fourth time against Hibs this season.

Hibs pulled one back after 54 minutes when Dennis got the final touch after a Darren Jackson header spun into the air from a Charnley free kick with the Rangers defence outmanoeuvred.

Jackson should have done better with another aerial chance before Laudrup eased Ibrox anxiety with an expertly taken third goal, sliding the ball through Leighton's legs from Durie's assist.

Elliot departed early with referee Dallas having little option given the full back's ugly challenge on McInnes.