Hat-trick hero Chris Sutton banished his personal Rugby Park nightmare - but Stilian Petrov found himself at the centre of controversy.

The Englishman sparked outrage here in May when he accused Dunfermline of underhand antics as a 4-0 win for Celtic could not stop Rangers winning the title on goal difference.

He was also hit with a huge ban for being sent off, but less than five months on the controversial Englishman banished that nightmare with three goals as his side surged eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

This time it was Petrov at the centre of controversy with the way he won Sutton's opening penalty.

It proved the turning point as Celtic went on to comfortably take the points with John Hartson ending a three-match run without a goal and Shaun Maloney also scoring.

Despite Kilmarnock's poor form, not many expected a repeat scoreline of May as Martin O'Neill handed Michael Gray his first start and Jackie McNamara a timely return which was good news for Berti Vogts ahead of Scotland's Euro 2004 play-off with Holland.

The kick-off was delayed 10 minutes for fans stuck in traffic, but the visitors did not waste any time putting the Kilmarnock defence under pressure.

Gray linked up well with Henrik Larsson, following good work by Liam Miller, but the defender was just unable to get to the return pass as he burst menacingly into the area.

But the home side were doing well to stop any runs from the Celtic midfield and keep Larsson and Hartson subdued.

The visitors started to resort to the long ball in search of the burly Welsh international as Kilmarnock went close with their second dangerous foray into the opposition's half.

Hessey sent Paul Di Giacomo away after referee Hugh Dallas had failed to give Chris Sutton a foul, but he took far too long to hit the shot giving Stanislav Varga chance to block.

But Sutton did forgive the referee in the 19th minute when he awarded the visitors a penalty.

Petrov exchanged passes with Larsson in the box and went down theatrically under the challenge of McDonald, but Dallas instantly pointed to the spot.

Sutton ignored the appeals of the players and anger of the Kilmarnock fans to stroke the ball into the bottom corner for his second success from the spot in two games.

Celtic would have doubled their lead just four minutes later, but for the heroics of Gordon Greer to deny Miller scoring arguably one of the goals of the season.

He started the brilliant passing move to get away from James Fowler and almost finished it off when he volleyed Larsson's pass, but the defender got back to head off the line.

While the visiting fans sung the youngster's name, Petrov came under fire from the home fans who hurled abuse at him for his part in the Celtic opener.

But they almost had something to celebrate in the 37th minute when the Hoops defence failed to clear and Greg Shields fired just past the upright from eight yards out.

Larsson came within inches of killing off Jefferies' side just before the break, but he watched as his shot came back off a post.

Jefferies made a change at the break by bringing on Peter Canero for Fowler, but that did not stem the flow of Celtic's attacking play.

Kilmarnock did try to force them back but striker Danny Invicibile was more invisible as they struggled to find a through the Hoops defence.

Miller was booked after a foul on Di Giacomo on the hour before Invincibile was replaced by Colin Nish.

But moments later Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman kept his side in front with a great save from McDonald from close range.

That prompted an instant response from the visitors and Miller again went close when he whistled a right-foot shot wide after good work from Larsson and Hartson.

Celtic doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Sutton flicked on Gray's cross and Hartson towered above the Kilmarnock defence to head past Francois Dubourdeau.

Just six minutes later Sutton notched his second after Hartson and Larsson combined to give him the easiest of goals from close range.

O'Neill made a treble substitution with Wallace, Maloney and Momo Sylla coming on for Gray, Hartson and Lennon, who forgot where the tunnel was and had to be told.

Maloney got in on the act with six minutes left when he converted Wallace's cross, before Sutton completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the final minute after Freddy Dindeleux brought down Larsson.

The scoreline was even more emphatic than it was in May - but the aftermath was certain to be quieter despite Petrov's best efforts.

Teams

Kilmarnock Dubourdeau, Shields, Greer, Hessey, Dindeleux, McLaughlin, Fowler (Canero 45), Fulton, McDonald, Di Giacomo (McSwegan 72), Invincibile (Nish 63).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hardie.

Booked: Greer, Fulton, McSwegan.

Celtic Hedman, Varga, Balde, McNamara, Miller, Lennon (Wallace 81), Petrov, Gray (Sylla 81), Larsson, Sutton, Hartson (Maloney 81).

Subs Not Used: Douglas, Valgaeren.

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Sutton 21 pen, Hartson 70, Sutton 76, Maloney 84, Sutton 90 pen.

Att: 12,460

Ref: H Dallas (Scotland).