Gordon Durie grabbed a hat-trick today as Rangers went into Christmas back on familiar ground - top of the Scottish League and on course for a record 10th successive title.

Scotland striker Durie was outstanding in this rout at Tynecastle which left the home fans shellshocked.

Hearts went into this game as League leaders, but they were torn apart by the champions, who continued to turn on the style, even though they were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute when Gennaro Gattuso was sent off for his second yellow card.

Marco Negri grabbed his 31st goal of the season, from the penalty spot, and Jorg Albertz was also on target.

Hearts' consolation scores came from veteran striker John Robertson and substitute Jim Hamilton, but they were totally outclassed.

This was an awesome performance by Rangers, considering they were without keeper Andy Goram, skipper Richard Gough, Paul Gascoigne and Jonas Thern for a variety of reasons.

With the likes of Lorenzo Amoruso and Sebastian Rozental still to get a run-out this season, the message to the rivals has come over loud and clear that Rangers look better than ever on the domestic front.

Rangers went ahead after five minutes, when Albertz swung in a corner from the right and Sergio Porrini's header was nodded past Gilles Rousset by Durie, who was standing almost on the line.

But Hearts hit back, Robertson pulling them level in the 17th minute, when he sent a stunning volley beyond keeper Theo Snelders, after David Weir had headed on Colin Cameron's corner.

It was Robertson's 270 goal for the club, but he was booked by referee Hugh Dallas for enjoying his celebrations too much.

Rangers continued to dominate and Durie netted his second goal in the 33rd minute, when he latched onto a pass from Albertz and his shot from just outside the area took a deflection off Paul Ritchie, leaving Rousset stranded.

Rangers could have had a couple more goals before the break, but Albertz and then Stale Stensaas both squandered glorious chances.

Rangers almost added a third goal when Gattuso won a freekick just outside the area. Albertz's freekick carried little power, but Rousset made a hash of it, only to recover.

Rangers went 3-1 ahead after 68 minutes, when Negri scored from the penalty spot, after Durie had been brought down by Rousset.

Gattuso received his marching orders a minute later after picking up another yellow card, this time for a challenge on Pointon.

But despite being down to 10 men, Rangers continued to turn the screw and Albertz added a fourth in the 78th minute with a 20-yard shot after being released by Ian Ferguson.

Brian Laudrup was called into the action in the 82nd minute and three minutes later he linked up with Durie to enable the Scotland striker to clinch his hat-trick and seal an emphatic victory.

Hamilton pulled a goal back with two minutes to go, but whether Hearts can recover from such a trouncing and stay in the title race remains to be seen.

Teams:

Hearts: Rousset, Locke, Pointon (Quitongo 71), Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Robertson, Cameron (Flogel 80), Adam (Hamilton 80).

Booked: Pointon, Rousset, Weir, Robertson, Salvatori.

Goals: Robertson 17, Hamilton 88.

Rangers: Snelders, Cleland, Stensaas, McCall, Porrini, Bjorklund, Durie, I. Ferguson, Negri (Laudrup 83), Gattuso, Albertz.

Subs Not Used: Petric, B. Ferguson.

Sent Off: Gattuso (69).

Booked: McCall, Porrini, Gattuso.

Goals: Durie 6, 34, Negri 69 pen, Albertz 78, Durie 86.

Att: 17,092

Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).