It wasn't the swatting aside of Kilmarnock that came at Celtic Park in the League Cup, but Celtic eased their way to another win over the Ayrshire side.

A first-half goal from James Forrest was supplemented in the final minutes by a second from Callum McGregor as Celtic comfortably took the points.

The opening goal came from Forrest but owed much to the quick feet of Tom Rogic.

The Australian midfielder skipped past two challenges within the Killie box before squaring to Forrest who rammed his shot past Jamie MacDonald.

It was a goal that punctured a stuffy Kilmarnock defence and Celtic, again with a back four all under 20, were able to see the game out relatively comfortably.

Kristoffer Ajer and Kieran Tierney began in the centre of defence with Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller on either flank. Both full-backs will feel that they gave another strong account of themselves with energetic performances.

Anthony Ralston, just as he did in the League Cup game against Kilmarnock less than a fortnight ago,

As the game progressed, Celtic's mid-week performance against Astana started to catch up although the arrival of Leigh Griffiths and Nir Bitton injected fresh energy into their endeavours.

Killie scorned a chance to get back on level terms when Kris Boyd, much to the delight of the visiting support, drove a free-kick wide of the target while at the other end Celtic had chances too to add to the scoring.

The main aim from this encounter from the Parkhead side's point of view was simply coming through the game with the win and without any injury issues.

In that respect, the sight of Bitton tentatively holding his ankle would have caused a little consternation with the Hoops camp, albeit that Tuesday's game in Kazakhstan seems essentially done given the 5-0 first-leg win.

McGregor set the seal on the win with the second goal as the game drew to a close, with Rogic deserving of praise again after sending the ball into Griffiths who teed up McGregor.