Jorg Albertz grabbed his first hat-trick of the season - and Rangers have the treble in their sights.

The League Cup winners and Scottish Cup semi-finalists are now 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League after this emphatic victory.

With second-place Celtic not in action until Sunday, this was a splendid chance for Rangers to twist the knife on their Old Firm rivals and reigning champions.

That they did but only after an early scare when Darius Adamczuk grabbed an equaliser.

However Albertz and two-goal Neil McCann made sure the result was never really in doubt to stretch the club's unbeaten league run to nine games.

Referee Dougie Smith and his two assistants David Doig and Derek Horan gave the match the thumbs-up after a kickabout on the Ibrox pitch.

The game had been in doubt after heavy rain overnight and again on Saturday morning in Glasgow.

But Smith passed the pitch fit an hour before kick-off although the goal areas and the sides looked very muddy and slippery.

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat stuck with the side that defeated Hamilton 6-0 in the Scottish Cup with Jonanatan Johansson again being preferred to Stephane Guivarc'h up front.

Dundee, the subject of possible merger talks with Dundee United this week, gave another run-out to Gavin Strachan, son of Coventry boss Gordon.

Rangers should have opened the scoring within the first 60 seconds of the game. Giovanni van Bronckhorst delivered a free kick from the left that found McCann unmarked at the far post. However the former Hearts star steered his header wide of the post when it seemed easier to score.

Rangers dictated the pace in the earlier stages and Steven Tweed did well to head the ball away from Rod Wallace's dangerous cross after Albertz had carved out the opening.

But Tweed let himself down and his team-mates with a rash challenge on McCann as he attempted to go past him.

Albertz stroked home the penalty kick in the 24th minute to make the breakthrough for Rangers.

But the home fans were stunned four minutes later when Dundee equalised in their first real attack.

Darius Adamczuk won the ball from McCann then released Tommy Coyne. Adamczuk sprinted into the middle to take the return ball and deliver a stunning shot beyond keeper Stefan Klos.

That goal stung Rangers into action and they sewed the points up 10 minutes either side of half time.

Albertz got the second as well, skipping away from Tweed after Tony Vidmar had played the ball through.

He then cut inside the penalty area to drill a fierce shot beyond keeper Robert Douglas.

Albertz was becoming an increasinly influential figure in the match and helped Rangers extend their lead in the 52nd minute.

He delivered an inswinging corner from the left and Douglas, under pressure, couldn't keep hold of the ball.

It dropped into the path of McCann, who rifled the ball into the net.

Dundee were demoralised and five minutes later Albertz completed his hat-trick after superb skill from McCann.

He got away down the left before scooping the ball into the middle. Albertz's first touch was good and his finish emphatic to put Rangers 4-1 ahead.

McCann added to Dundee's misery in the 71st minute when he latched onto a through ball from Albertz and steered a shot over the hard-pressed keeper.

Rangers were playing some marvellous flowing football and van Bronckhorst made it 6-1 with two minutes to go with a blistering 30-yard drive following sub Gabriel Amato's lay-off.

Teams

Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Amoruso, Vidmar, Kanchelskis, Ferguson (Miller 71), Van Bronckhorst, Albertz, McCann, Wallace (Amato 77), Johansson (Guivarc'h 57).

Subs Not Used: Wilson, McGregor.

Goals: Albertz 24 pen, 38, McCann 51, Albertz 57, McCann 71,Van Bronckhorst 88.

Dundee: Douglas, Adamczuk (Rae 77), Smith, Tweed, Rogers, Maddison, Falconer, Strachan, McSkimming, Coyne (Annand 63),Grady.

Subs Not Used: Sharp, Robertson, Langfield.

Booked: McSkimming.

Goals: Adamczuk 28.

Att: 49,462

Ref: D Smith (Troon).