Not a single save of note made all afternoon by Robert Douglas; just one solitary goal-bound effort from Hibernian, and that cleared by Johan Mjallby; three goals from Celtic and several misses.
If, overall, Saturday's clinching of the Scottish Cup had not been done so in glorious style by Celtic, there was little argument that the victory was nevertheless statistically comprehensive.
Much of the comfort Celtic fans have derived from Martin O'Neill's reform of their team is that even when their play is less fluent than usual there is still a certainty about Celtic today.
Thus, at Hampden Park on Saturday in a first half that Hibernian contested competitively and relatively successfully, while Celtic struggled to establish a rhythm with Neil Lennon particularly quiet, there was still the feeling that Celtic would at some stage enforce their teamsheet superiority.
That stage arrived in eight minutes either side of half-time and with it went any hope Hibs had held of ending their 99year detachment from the Scottish Cup. It is now one hundred years of hurt.
However, until the Celtic substitute Jackie McNamara scored in the 39th minute and then Henrik Larsson added the killer second less than three minutes after the interval, Hibs had managed to retain parity largely by frustrating Celtic in midfield and by keeping Larsson more peripheral than is normal.
The gamble taken by Alex McLeish of fielding his captain Franck Sauzee looked to have been considered. In midfield, Grant Brebner, once of Manchester United, kept himself busy and struck the odd good pass. Up front Marc Libbra's quick feet and intelligent running gave Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren a couple of uncertain moments - and the leaden Ramon Vega some embarrassment.
There was, though, no suggestion that the combination of Hibernian's talents could break through Celtic and really make a game of it. When Lubo Moravcik hobbled off after 15 minutes, Hibs were given further encouragement to add to their feisty beginning, yet it was Moravcik's replacement, McNamara, who eventually tilted the match towards Celtic. Didier Agathe, booed loudly by the Hibs supporters having left them for Celtic, had been another O'Neill player under-performing until he cut in from the right six minutes before half-time.
Chris Sutton darted across the Hibs 18yard line taking defenders with him. Into the resulting space ran McNamara and when Agathe found him McNamara shot back across goal, through the legs of Gary Smith and into the bottom corner. Nick Colgan barely moved. He was not at fault.
And then, shortly after the break, McNamara skipped forward and fed Larsson as he lurked on the Hibs penalty spot. Sauzee was attempting to shepherd Larsson, but his legs went from under him. It may not have mattered given the sweetness of Larsson's strike over Colgan.
Hibs did try to rally and Libbra did get a first shot on target, Mjallby lunging to block it, but Celtic's gradual assumption of power was now overwhelming. Ten minutes from the end, Larsson surged once more into the penalty area. Smith tussled with him and down went the Celtic striker - penalty. Larsson got up to beat Colgan again from the spot. Three goals, three trophies, a million cheers.
It was Larsson's 53rd goal of the season and his 53rd reminder that the contract talks which have stalled over the past fortnight should be resumed with haste.
For Hibernian, there was, as McLeish said, the consolation of a promising season and a place in Europe. Whether he will be at Easter Road to oversee it is a matter of some debate. Not that McLeish added to it. "Next question," was his reply to a query about West Ham's alleged interest.
The next question was about what had gone before. For Celtic it is all about what comes next.
CELTIC: Douglas, Mjallby, Vega, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert (Boyd 78), Moravcik (McNamara 18), Thompson (Johnson 88), Larsson, Sutton. Subs Not Used: Stubbs, Gould. Booked: Valgaeren. Goals: McNamara 39, Larsson 48, 80 pen.
HIBERNIAN: Colgan, Gary Smith, Sauzee, Fenwick, Murray, O'Neil, Jack, Brebner (Arpinon 61), Laursen, Libbra, Paatelainen (Zitelli 69), Arpinon (Lovell 81). Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Westwater. Booked: Murray, Jack, Gary Smith.
Referee: K Clark (Scotland).
