A hat-trick from skipper Barry Ferguson saw off Dundee United and helped Rangers open a five-point lead over champions Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The Scotland international scored his first-ever hat-trick thanks to a superb free-kick, a solo run and a late penalty.

The match extended Rangers' 100% home record this season but ended with both sides reduced to 10 men.

Rangers' Fernando Ricksen was the first to go, with United's Jim McIntyre following him later.

Rangers started nervously, with the absence of three left-sided players in Arthur Numan, Neil McCann and Maurice Ross.

Kevin Muscat returned after missing the Old Firm clash and he took an unfamiliar role on the left of a three-man defence, with the recalled Peter Lovenkrands and Stephen Hughes also looking to impress.

Lovenkrands fired an early volley off target as early chances failed to materialise until Shota Arveladze was put behind the inexperienced United backline by Hughes.

Scotland goalkeeper Paul Gallacher denied the Georgian but the reprieve was only temporary as a minute later, in the 13th minute, Ferguson netted with a perfect free-kick.

Gallacher had no chance of stopping his curling effort, which nestled in the back of the net via the goalkeeper's right-hand post.

That was Rangers' best moment, although Arveladze did convert a through ball only to see the flag raised for offside.

Indeed, it was United who finished the first half strongly with Derek Lilley pulling the strings.

He came close to an equaliser on three occasions in the space of a few minutes as Rangers failed to get a grip on the game.

Lorenzo Amoruso blocked his first effort and his second, a first-time effort following a run and cross from Jim Paterson, only just cleared the crossbar after a deflection off Muscat.

Hughes' nervous performance had gifted possession for the third chance but goalkeeper Stefan Klos, who had otherwise had little to do, was able to block.

Charlie Miller had also thumped a long-ranger just wide as the home side went in at the break having failed to impress.

The game came to life 10 minutes after the restart when Ferguson doubled Rangers' lead after Mark Wilson had failed to stop him picking up the ball in midfield to begin a run from the centre circle to the United box.

The controversy arrived three minutes later when Ricksen was sent off for felling Miller in front of the dugouts.

The Dutchman's challenge left Miller writhing in agony but, after a straight red card provoked a furious reaction from home players and supporters alike, the United man was able to continue.

United took off transfer-listed striker Stephen Thompson and sent on Allan Smart with the newcomer almost putting his side back in the game straight away.

But he was denied first by Klos, who half blocked his effort in a one-on-one duel, and then by Amoruso, who was first to the loose ball.

Mols and then Arveladze passed up opportunities to kill the game off with off-target finishes as the 10 men pressed up field.

With 10 minutes left McIntyre was shown the red card for a kick at Arveladze.

Ferguson completed his hat-trick from the spot in the 85th minute after David McCracken had brought down Arveladze in the box.

Teams

Rangers: Klos, Muscat, Moore, Amoruso, Ricksen, Hughes, Ferguson, Lovenkrands, de Boer (Malcolm 68), Mols (Nerlinger 79), Arveladze.

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Latapy, Hutton.

Sent Off: Ricksen (60).

Goals: Ferguson 13, 56, 86 pen.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Wilson, McCraken, Paterson, Easton, Miller, McIntyre, Hamilton, Thompson (Smart 59), Lilley (Carson 67).

Subs Not Used: Combe, Cummings, Duff.

Sent Off: McIntyre (80).

Booked: Lilley, McCunnie.

Att: 47,639

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).