Celtic strolled to a five goal victory and will be hoping to take this form into next Sunday's Old Firm clash where victory would see them back on top of the league.
It was the home team's deadly striking partnership of Henrik Larrson and Chris Sutton which took all the plaudits, with the Swede snatching a hat trick in the final minute from the penalty spot.
Kilmarnock nearly took an early lead but Paul Di Giacomo headed wide after Peter Canero's persistence had created the chance. The visitors looked keen to take the match to Celtic but were soon made to pay for their audacity.
Larsson started the rout when he reacted first to side-foot Neil Lennon's cross in at the near post.
He then turned provider with a neat through ball which put Sutton clear to fire past Gordon Marshall.
Larsson then got back on the scoresheet with a close range header when Joos Valgaeren's effort rebounded off the bar, after Bobo Balde had created mayhem in the visitors' defence.
With next week's game in mind, as well as their midweek trip to Lithuania, it was no surprise that Celtic took their foot off the pedal after their whirlwind start.
Sutton was still alert enough to grab his second midway through the second half after Marshall had done well to block Larsson's first effort.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill then sent on all three substitutes with John Hartson being denied twice by excellent saves from the Killie keeper.
By this stage the visitors were desperately awaiting the final whistle but they had one more indignity to suffer, after Chris Innes pulled down Shaun Maloney as he jinked his way into the box.
Marshall was sufficiently annoyed at the award to earn himself a booking for dissent, but Larsson was coolness personified as he despatched his spot kick