Celtic ensured Roy Keane's home debut would be better than his first game with a 4-2 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead to maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The former Manchester United midfielder played alongside Stephen McManus in central defence after the humbling Tennent's Scottish Cup exit at Clyde last week.

But the Glasgow club were made to work for the points by their Ayrshire opponents.

Early goals from Shunsuke Nakamura and Shaun Maloney appeared to have given Celtic a comfortable cushion.

But Killie hit back through a Steven Naismith penalty and a Danny Invincibile strike.

However, McManus restored the Hoops' lead in the 53rd minute before Maciej Zurawski grabbed the fourth in the 67th minute.

Celtic made the perfect start by taking the lead in the third minute.

Colin Nish upended Petrov just outside the area and Nakamura stepped up to curl a superb left-foot effort past Alan Combe and into the top corner of the net.

But the visitors hit back and Artur Boruc saved Naismith's 20-yard strike before the Polish goalkeeper pulled off a great stop to deny Nish.

The striker was sent clean through on goal by Naismith but the goalkeeper raced off his line to make a one-handed save.

But Kilmarnock's rally was short-lived as Celtic doubled their advantage from the spot in the 14th minute.

Fowler could have no complaints after taking the legs of Petrov in the area and Maloney coolly sent Combe the wrong way.

Zurawski could have killed the game four minutes later after Maloney had played him through but he fired straight at the goalkeeper.

The Rugby Park side were then gifted a chance to reduce the deficit as referee Calum Murray pointed to the spot after McManus had brought down Nish in the area.

The impressive Naismith stepped and sent the ball into the opposite corner to Boruc's dive in the 24th minute.

Combe came to Kilmarnock's rescue with a great save to deny John Hartson.

Jefferies was forced to make a change with David Lilley replaced by Invincibile but Kilmarnock continued to threaten.

Keane had to block Hay's strike before Nish headed straight at the Celtic goalkeeper from six yards.

After the break, the Kilmarnock supporters were celebrating the equaliser in the 51st minute.

Keane was dispossessed by Naismith and the Killie forward crossed into the area for Invincibile to head past Boruc from close range.

But Celtic took the lead again two minutes later through McManus.

A corner caused panic in the Kilmarnock defence and Keane's shot was blocked before his defensive partner pounced and sent the ball home from close range.

Boruc almost gifted Kilmarnock an equaliser after an embarrassing blunder.

The goalkeeper dropped Invincibile's hanging cross but Nish did not anticipate the mistake and missed the chance to score.

But Zurawski hit the fourth for the title chasers, steering Ross Wallace's centre home from close range in the 67th minute.

Strachan brought on Aiden McGeady for Zurawski in the 80th minute but his back four was still causing him much strife even with their two-goal advantage.

The substitute tried to impress his manager at the other end moments later but his right-foot shot was comfortably saved by Combe.

Teams:

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Keane, McManus, Wallace, Lennon, Petrov, Nakamura, Maloney, Zurawski (McGeady 80), Hartson.

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Virgo, Lawson, Thompson, Pearson, Camara.

Booked: McManus.

Goals: Nakamura 3, Maloney 16 pen, McManus 53, Zurawski 67.

Kilmarnock Combe, Fowler, Lilley (Invincibile 38), Ford, Hay, Johnston, McDonald, Naismith, Wright, Nish (Di Giacomo 72), Wales (Murray 72).

Subs Not Used: Bell, Dodds, Campbell, Jamie Adams.

Goals: Naismith 24 pen, Invincibile 51.

Att: 59,995

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).