RANGERS regained their three-point lead over championship rivals Celtic with victory over Hibernian at Easter Road yesterday.

A Graham Mitchell own goal and a Brian Laudrup penalty clinched the points to give Walter Smith a satisfying result in his 200th league match in charge of Rangers.

But that only tells half the story as Paul Gascoigne collected yet another yellow card - and Rangers keeper Andy Goram was attacked by a fan who ran on to the park.

Goram ended up with a bloody nose but he will be simply delighted that with eight games left Rangers lead Celtic by three points.

Now the Old Firm sides are set for a crunch match on Sunday, March 17th, at Ibrox which will be billed as a title decider.

Smith gave his £1.5 million signing from Aalborg, Erik Bo Andersen, a starting debut but Richard Gough's return after a month out lasted only 44 minutes before he limped off.

Referee Willie Young of Clarkston had booked Gascoigne for celebrating a penalty award against Motherwell last month - and did the same again after 70, minutes when David Farrell had brought down the England midfielder.

Rangers were also angry that he took no action when Willie Miller appeared to elbow David Robertson in a first-half clash.

Young seemed desperate to nip any possible reaction in the bud as he awarded a string of frees and spoke to Hibernian striker Keith Wright after 15 minutes for a lunge at Gascoigne.

Then Farrell was penalised for getting too close although his attention sparked a characteristic raise of his elbow by Gascoigne.

Laudrup was a constant source of threat to Hibernian, setting up an early chance for Stuart McCall, and it was from him that the opening goal stemmed after 31 minutes.

Hibernian could not stop Laudrup's mazy run from the left but although there were no takers in a Rangers jersey for his cross, Mitchell inadvertently bulleted a header beyond Jim Leighton.

Andersen was having a quiet match and was well off target with a 37th minute header from a cross by fellow country-man Laudrup.

Rangers were angry when referee Young ignored an apparent off-the-ball elbow on David Robertson by Willie Miller.

The referee saw nothing amiss too just before half-time when the ball struck Robertson's hands inside the box from Keith Wright as Hibernian were given a corner rather than a penalty.

Seconds before the interval Gough limped off with what looked like a calf injury as John Brown came on.

Rangers defender Gordan Petric collected a yellow card after 48 minutes for handball on the edge of his own box.

The champions were under pressure for much of the second half but they broke away to grab the second after a controversial 70th minute incident.

A fine move involving substitute Charlie Miller, Gascoigne and Laudrup saw the England star blocked inside the box and referee Young pointed to the spot; ruling David Farrell's challenge, illegal.

Before Laudrup could convert, Hibs keeper Leighton and Gascoigne were booked after an angry exchange. It was Gascoigne's 12th domestic booking since arriving from Lazio.

Then came the 76th minute incident as a fan from the Hibs end reached Goram before finally being hauled away by police and stewards.

So for the second week in a row, Rangers ensured Celtic stayed joint top for only 24 hours as the title race twists and turns again.

Now Rangers have Scottish Cup business to attend to next Saturday with a quarter-final against third division Caledonian Thistle before the big showdown with Celtic.