Watch Celtic stick four goals past Kilmarnock (video)
James Forrest and Joe Ledley competed for the man-of-the-match with the midfield duo combining for a Barcelona style opening goal with Forrest completing a series of quick passes with a defence splitting ball to the Welshman who rifled the ball home.
Forrest popped up on the other wing in the 18th minute to bamboozle his marker before firing in a near post cross that Lee Ashcroft turned into his own net.
With Kris Commons and Teemu Pukki capable of dropping deep as well as stretching defenders there was a flexibility about the way Celtic played with full-backs Emilio Izaguirre and Darnell Fisher pushing forward at every opportunity.
Charlie Mulgrew hit the woodwork with his effort rebounding into the hands of goalkeeper Craig Sampson but the versatile Celt made amends in the 68th minute with a low shot drilled past the Kilmarnock ‘keeper.
With the points secured Derk Boerrigter, Amido Balde and Stefan Johansen were all introduced with all three substitutes making a contribution with Balde completing the scoring in stoppage time with a weak shot that Sampson won’t enjoy watching again.
After the match Neil Lennon was guarded in his comments about the last two days of the transfer window with speculation rife about movement in and out of the club.
Whether Joe Ledley and/or Georgios Samaras sign new deals will have a major bearing on whether anyone arrives at Celtic with a £1m deal for Leigh Griffiths probably the most likely arrival.