GLASGOW. March 2 Celtic reduced Rangers’ lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to eight points on Wednesday after thrashing Dundee 6-2 at Parkhead with Tommy Johnson grabbing a hat-trick, reports AFP.

Johnson slotted home Jackie McNamara’s cross after 18 minutes to put the home side ahead and the former Aston Villa striker rammed in his second on the half hour after being set up by Mark Viduka.

Dundee, thrashed 7-1 by Rangers on Sundav. caved in when Viduka bundled his way into the box for Celtic's third goal five minutes later.

Bulgarian international Stilian Petrov added the fourth two minutes before the break when he got on the end of a cross from Lubomir Moravcik.

Dundee's frustration boiled over in first-half injury-time when Frank Van Eiss brought down Frenchman fStephane Mahr

Referee Stuart Dougal gave a penalty without hesitation and Australian striker Viduka knocked the spot-kick beyond Douglas.

Dundee pulled a goal back after 58 minutes with a spectacular 25-yard strike from Hugh Robertson which flew beyond Russian keeper Dmitri Kharine.

But the visitors shot themselves in the foot in the 64th minute when Johnson completed his hat-trick.

Van Eljs was woefully short with a back pass and Johnson nipped in to score with referee Dougal ignoring his assistant's raised flag.

Dundee reduced the deficit in the 77th minute when James Grady headed home a cross from Steven Boyack - but II wa^ far Too little much too late.