GLASGOW (AFP) - A Kris Boyd hat-trick helped Rangers demolish Aberdeen 3-0 at Ibrox on Saturday and take a huge step towards Champions League football next season.

The striker's three first half goals put the Ibrox side on the way to an easy Scottish Premier League victory to take them seven points ahead of the third placed Dons.

And, with Celtic already certainties to lift the title - with a 13 point advantage before their match away to Falkirk on Sunday - Walter Smith's Rangers side now look certain to finish as runners-up.

However, while the Gers manager was thrilled with the victory, he believes there is still work to be done before second place is secured.

Smith said: "I was delighted with the first half performance and everyone did well.

"It's a big result for us but it's important we stay focused. After the league split our last five games are against teams in the top six so points are going to be dropped.

"I hope we win all our games but I think it is important we try to build a gap before we get to that stage."

Rangers had taken the lead in only the eighth minute.

Spanish striker Nacho Novo laid the ball out to Alan Hutton who sent a high lob across goal for Boyd to rise above Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson and send a downward header into the bottom corner of the net.

Aberdeen had not defeated Rangers at Ibrox since September 1991 and in the 25th minute the hosts ensured this record would continue.

Charlie Adam's attempted cross from the left deflected off the leg of Aberdeen midfielder Scott Severin and Boyd was first to react to prod the ball past goalkeeper Jamie Langfield from six-yards.

And in the 31st minute Boyd completed his hat-trick to end any lingering hopes the visitors had of taking anything from the game.

Novo's pass released Hutton on the right and, after he slid in to win the ball from Dons defender Andrew Considine, he pulled it back for Boyd to rifle past Langfield from eight-yards.

Although Rangers continued to boss the play in the second half they never really looked like adding to their advantage and coasted to an easy victory in front of a crowd of 50,354.

Angry Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood blamed his side's poor defending for the loss.

He said: "It's very annoying that we've come here and made it so easy for them. As a team we've defended very poorly which is disappointing.

"We defended far too deeply and gave away poor goals and it's very frustrating to come here and not play the way we can.

"It's going to be difficult to finish second now but there are seven games left and we need to make sure we don't make the same mistakes again."

In the other SPL games on Saturday there was a shock at Tynecastle where Dundee United hammered Hearts 4-0.

The home side had been reduced to 10 men when Senegalese defender Ibrahim Tall was sent-off before half-time. United took advantage after the break with Barry Robson scoring a hat-trick, with Noel Hunt scoring their third.

This result means fourth placed Hearts remain six points behind Aberdeen in the chase for qualification for the UEFA Cup.

Bottom of the table Dunfermline won 3-1 away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle to give themselves a glimmer of hope of surviving in the SPL.

Caley had been ahead by half-time through Marcus Paatelainen but two goals from Stephen Glass, and one in between from Jim McIntyre meant the Pars move to within six points of second bottom St Mirren.