As hosts should, Celtic raked through their wardrobe to dress appropriately for the formal handing over of the Scottish Premier League trophy.
A couple of new numbers were tried, donned in the spirit of experimentation. And comfortable combinations were re-jigged in the hope of creating a more dramatic impression.
But, in the end, there was no disguising the fact that Celtic looked best in their most familiar garb.
When substitute Lubomir Moravcik came on as a 62nd minute substitute to score three minutes later, converting a diagonal pass from Henrik Larsson sent on his way by a clever flick from Tommy Johnson, not only was the SPL trophy poised to be handed over to the champions in the appropriate circumstances of victory, it was further proof that Celtic are at their most complete when their look is as it has been for most of the season.
The absence of Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon could not be entirely ignored, but all it did was provide Paul Lambert with the stage to do what everyone knows already of him, his calm authority amounting to something of a master-class.
Lambert said there was no question of the Celtic relaxing.
"We still had a job to do tonight and the manager (Martin O'Neill) would not let us rest on our laurels," Lambert said. "It was nice to win tonight.
O'Neill agreed. "We didn't want to lose. Tonight's a night to celebrate. It's been a fantastic effort by everyone this season."
O'Neill had intimated last week that, with the title wrapped up and a place in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final to prepare for, fringe players would be given their chance to impress.
Colin Healy and Jackie McNamara were the fortunate beneficiaries. While Lennon was indisposed - attending the funeral of his grandmother - Sutton wasn't even on the bench, fuelling much idle speculation.
His reasoning thus posted in advance, O'Neill posted Didier Agathe on the left, the wide player's cut inside and 22-yard thundering shot off Antti Niemi's crossbar in the fifth minute telling him one thing: Agathe is more comfortable on the right.
When he deployed the same ruse 20 minutes later, this time from just inside the Hearts' box, Niemi needed to use both fists to clear to safety.
The anticipated switch of flanks came in the 55th minute as Celtic reverted to type. The change ignited an immediate improvement.
Unshackled, Agathe started blazing a trail and Celtic were more at ease with themselves. A few minutes later, Moravcik's arrival as substitute would provide further proof of Celtic's best formation.
Hearts, of course, had reason to be less than compliant guests at the Celtic party. Harbouring hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup in fourth place, they set out to frustrate.
Determination and the occasional breakaway - hoping, perhaps, to exploit Robert Douglas' capacity for eccentricity - could never, however, amount to a fail-safe protection.
Good fortune provided the missing piece of insurance that allowed the visitors reach the interval with their goal still intact.
Niemi's hopeful, outstretched leg was enough to redirect a shot from Larsson, released delightfully by a Tommy Johnson reverse pass, while Alan Thompson's woeful mistiming of a mis-hit shot from McNamara was executed little more than six yards out with the net beckoning.
The charmed life continued into the second half when Larsson got the better of Niemi following a quick free-kick from Lambert, but not of Scott Severin.
And it continued as Moravcik started peppering the Hearts goalkeeper with audacious shooting.
But, in party mood, Celtic could afford to be generous. A cacophony of sound was soon to burst forth as the trophy was held aloft.
Celtic: Douglas; Vega, Mjallby, Valgaeren, Agathe, McNamara, Healy (Moravcik 63), Lambert (Boyd 85), Thompson, Larsson, Johnson (Smith 76). Subs Not Used: Gould, Mahe. Goal: Moravcik 68.
Hearts: Niemi; Flogel, Severin, Mckenna (Webster 85), Pressley, McCann, Makel (Durie 71), Cameron, Boyack, Wales, Kirk (Juanjo 63). Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Neilson. Booked: Pressley.
Referee: M McCurrie (Glasgow).
