Celtic could afford the luxury of Alan Thompson missing an early spot-kick as the home team swept aside an inept Livingston challenge.
The visitors their intentions clear from the start with only Fernando Pasquinelli up front, but still found themselves two down by half time, through goals by Henrik Larsson and Shaun Maloney.
Larsson duly completed his hat-trick in the second half with Thompson adding a last minute free-kick after Derek Lilley had scored a late consolation goal for Livingston.
After Maloney pulled an early shot wide, Celtic were awarded a penalty after the striker was brought down by David McNamee.
Thompson curled the resultant spot-kick wide, but his anguish was short-lived when he provided a perfect cross for Larsson to bullet home his header in the 24th minute.
Stilian Petrov mis-kicked in front of goal after Larsson had teed up the chance before the Swede made the crossbar shudder with a well-struck free-kick after Petrov was fouled.
It was only a matter of time before Celtic's second arrived and it was provided by Maloney.
After a good run by Liam Miller, Thompson fired in a fierce shot which Alan Main in the Livingston goal could only parry high into the air, allowing Maloney to bundle the ball home from close range.
Larsson put the home side three ahead early in the second half when his header from Petrov's free-kick was too powerful for Main to keep out.
The striker then achieved his hat-trick when he picked up a loose ball at the edge of the box before drilling his shot low into the corner of the net.
Livingston were totally demoralised at this stage and slack cover allowed substitute Momo Sylla to take a short corner to Thompson, whose powerful drive hit the underside of the bar but stayed out.
Livingston scored a late goal after Marvin Andrews' run into the penalty box ended with substitute Lilley skipping past Magnus Hedman, who did not have a save to make all afternoon, before chipping his shot home.
There was still time for Thompson to drive home a last minute free-kick to emphasise Celtic's superiority.