Celtic produced an artful display at Kilmarnock to draw themselves closer to mastering the Premier Division title picture.

Simon Donnelly's assured finish after 55 minutes typified the visitors' stylish victory which keeps them ahead of Rangers and Hearts at the summit.

Henrik Larsson's 19th-minute header set the visitors on their way, but they were forced to up a gear after Alex Burke equalised five minutes before the interval.

That they able to do this must offer comfort to head coach Wim Jansen whose call for greater composure was well heeded in a determined showing.

Kilmarnock have proved a bogey side at Rugby Park for Celtic, but this well-deserved win ensures the Bhoys keep their noses ahead of the rest with Hearts only drawing with Motherwell.

The three points gained for Celtic is crucially the margin they now lead Rangers, a useful cushion as the Old Firm rivals meet at Ibrox on Sunday.

For Kilmarnock, the loss is a blow to their ambition of securing fourth-place ahead of St Johnstone and the UEFA Cup spot that is likely to bring.

Dutchman Jansen had called for patience beforehand but had clearly lost his with £2million striker Harald Brattbakk who was displaced by Darren Jackson.

Brattbakk was joined on the bench by Tosh McKinlay who despite the loss of Alan Stubbs and Stephane Mahe was still unable to find a starting berth.

Phil O'Donnell dropped back into defence which allowed the return of Morten Wieghorst after suspension, while Gus MacPherson returned for Kilmarnock following knee surgery.

Celtic's first effort at goal came from an unlikely source, defender Enrico Annoni sending a delicate chip just over after the ball broke kindly from a Donnelly cross.

After 19 minutes, Celtic were ahead with a goal instigated and finished by Larsson, who released O'Donnell on the left with a clever flick.

The cross was a precise one and the Swede rose well to send a looping effort beyond the reach of former Celtic keeper Gordon Marshall.

The goal was deserved for the greater urgency shown by the visitors from the outset, but its arrival sparked the home team into life before the break.

First MacPherson's through ball released John Henry, but the forward's first touch was poor allowing Marc Rieper to recover his ground.

After 31 minutes, MacPherson's angled chip drifted just wide of the mark after Pat Nevin did well to hold up the ball, while at the other end Larsson fired a near post effort off target.

Five minutes later, Celtic created a clearer chance and it should have been taken, with Donnelly the culprit, but as it proved only the temporary villain.

Craig Burley sent Larsson away on the right and his drilled cross found Donnelly eight yards out but his snap shot was straight at Marshall who beat the ball to safety.

What followed punished that miss as Nevin crossed for Wright whose strike on the turn was superbly pushed away one-handed by Gould, only for Burke to slot in the rebound.

But Celtic were not to be shaken by the leveller and dominated from the outset after the interval with their most flowing football for some weeks.

After 51 minutes, Larsson's probing run finished with an intelligent pass which put O'Donnell clean through, Marshall blocking with his legs.

Another fluid move proved decisive for Celtic after 55 minutes when Jackson slid the ball to Donnelly who made amends for his earlier miss in some style, clipping past Marshall.

The regained lead would have been extended in Celtic's next attack but for a superb tip-over by Marshall to deny Jackson's 25-yard drive.

For his industry alone, Jackson deserved a goal, but was denied again after 65 minutes when Ray Montgomerie cleared a header off the line.

Kilmarnock were not finished, Montgomerie moving upfield to hit a low deflected drive narrowly wide with Gould seemingly beaten, but Celtic held on.

After all, as their support reminded all and sundry on the whistle, they will not be moved - five games left, glory beckons.

Teams

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Kerr, Montgomerie, Lauchlan, Reilly, Nevin, Holt, Wright (Roberts 67), Henry (Mitchell 67), Burke (Vareille 67).

Goals: Burke 40.

Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Annoni, Donnelly, Rieper, O'Donnell, Larsson, Burley, Jackson, Lambert, Wieghorst.

Subs Not Used: Hannah, Brattbakk, McKinlay.

Booked: Wieghorst.

Goals: Larsson 19, Donnelly 55.

Att: 18,076

Ref: G Clyde (Bearsden).