A Robbie Keane hat-trick was enough for Celtic to see off the challenge of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and advance to the semi-final of the Active Nation Scottish Cup.
The Irish hitman bagged all three goals in the second half, following a listless display from the Hoops before the break. Re-visiting the scene of their 1-0 league defeat of a month ago, the day Keane made his debut, Celtic were disjointed for most of the first half.
It was Killie who came closest to opening the scoring through Allan Russell in the 14th minute, when he beat 'keeper Lukasz Zaluska only to see his effort clip the bar and rebound to safety, with Keane then having a good effort blocked at the other end when played in by Marc Crosas.
As the home side pressed, Russell drove another effort narrowly wide and then just failed to connect with a Craig Bryson cutback as half-time approached.
Keane's first arrived in the 63rd minute, following a number of good efforts on goal from a rejuvenated Celtic. A long punt out of defence outfoxed the Killie rearguard and the Irishman calmly rounded the goalie with his first touch and slotted home for the decisive first goal. Aiden McGeady then went close but it was the 81st minute before the tie was sealed when Keane tapped in after Georgios Samaras robbed a dithering Frazer Wright, and barely a minute later the Tallaght man collected a Marc-Antoine Fortune pass and stuck away his third with aplomb.