Kilmarnock fluffed their lines in a League Cup semi-final dress rehearsal with Celtic.
The Ayrshire side hoped to bag a positive result heading into their Hampden showdown with the league leaders next week, but it was the Glasgow side who stole the show and will be hoping for an encore.
Goals from Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi sealed a comfortable three points for Ange Postecoglou's side.
Derek McInnes made three changes from his side's 0-0 draw with St Mirren, with new signing Kyle Vassell being preferred over Christian Doidge. Blair Alston and Dan Armstrong also made way for Alan Power and Chris Stokes.
The visitors did well to limit the league leaders in terms of chances, the first half chance was in the 15th minute when Alexandro Bernabei whipped a low cross into the area, but Sam Walker collected well to avert any danger.
Five minutes later Daizen Maeda fired in a dangerous curling cross from the left, but thankfully for Killie Cameron Carter-Vickers wasn’t able to jump to head an effort towards goal.
In the 25th minute Jota found himself in acres of space 20 yards out, but he took too long to get a shot away and it was blocked en route to Walker’s grateful gloves.
Kilmarnock had a rare first half flurry forward as defender Chris Stokes picked up the ball on the edge of the area in the 28th minute, his cross-cum-shot ended up leaving Joe Hart worried as it skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Ash Taylor had another good chance for the visitors in the 38th minute as Liam Polworth’s cross landed on the 6ft 5in defender’s head, but his looping effort landed on the roof of the net.
Celtic had the ball in the net five minutes before half time as Jota squared an effort to Kyogo, but the linesman was quick to raise his flag as the Portuguese winger was deemed offside.
But the hosts did bag their opener on the stroke of half-time when Jota slid in to fire and effort home and send his side into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Soon after half-time it was two as Kyogo doubled the Glasgow side's lead by nicking in front of Taylor to poke the ball past Walker.
Reo Hatate had a crack at goal from distance just after the hour mark, but Walker was equal to the effort and parried it away from danger.
Carter-Vickers fired a powerful header towards goal, but Walker was again alert as he tipped it on to the post with a strong hand.
Alistair Johnston smashed the crossbar with a curling effort which left Walker stranded, and the Killie keeper struggled to deal with a follow up which was eventually cleared by the defence.
James Forrest had the freedom of Glasgow when the ball landed at his feet inside the six yard box in the dying minutes, but he somehow missed two chances as Walker saved one and the rebound smashed off the post.
Forrest went close again with a curling effort from the edge of the area after a neat lay-off, but his effort flew over the gaping right-hand corner.
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