Celtic strolled to a 2-0 victory at home to Kilmarnock thanks to goals from top scorer Henrik Larsson and Stilian Petrov either side of the interval.
That proved to be enough to secure all three points although the winning margin really ought to have been greater.
It was hardly surprising that Celtic maintained the pressure on SPL leaders Rangers - Kilmarnock had only one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes and even that was in stoppage time.
Martin O'Neill's side were dominant throughout the opening half, restricting the visitors to a Gary McDonald effort which finished a couple of yards over the bar while Alan Thompson, John Hartson and Larsson were shooting freely at the other end.
It was Thompson who had the first real chance, his flashing right-foot shot finishing narrowly wide of the left-hand post in the eighth minute.
Thompson's 25-yard drive two minutes later was then brilliantly tipped over by Gordon Marshall in the Killie goal.
Hartson and McDonald then exchanged chances before Larsson put Celtic in front.
Petrov played a great ball over the defence to Hartson and he unselfishly centred to Larsson who volleyed the ball with ease into the net.
Thompson was unlucky not to increase Celtic's lead in the 31st minute, Marshall again blocking his effort. Kilmarnock's best player did likewise to prevent Hartson in the 40th minute.
Petrov settled any nerves in the home support in the 72nd minute.
Larsson back-heeled the ball to the Bulgarian from a Paul Lambert cross and he struck the ball home - possibly with the aid of a deflection - from 12 yards.
Kris Boyd's late effort, which was saved by Robert Douglas was no consolation for the visitors.