The game was contested against the backdrop of regular updates filtering through from Tannadice where title rivals Rangers were coasting to a 3-0 victory over Dundee United to secure Scottish football's ultimate prize.
Considering the magnitude of the prize which was at stake, the Celtic players were surprisingly lethargic in the opening stages of the game and, as news of Rangers' progress in Dundee became apparent, their collective commitment seemed to diminish.
This resulted in intense frustration for their supporters, who were taunted continuously by the small band of travelling fans from Edinburgh.
After Hearts keeper Marian Kello had dealt with straightforward efforts from Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott McDonald, the Slovakian was required to produce an outstanding save in the 21st minute, when he touched a powerful low drive from Aiden McGeady on to his left-hand post.
It took Hearts 32 minutes to generate their first attempt on goal, Hristos Karipidis driving forward before sending in a long-range effort which was held at the second attempt by Hoops keeper Artur Boruc.
Hearts were clearly not prepared to accept a supporting role in this particular drama and they almost took the lead on the stroke of half-time, when Calum Elliot's close-range effort was cleared off the goal-line by Gary Caldwell.
With any title aspirations negated by half-time following news of Rangers' second goal at Tannadice, the second half proved even less eventful than the first.
Interval substitute Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink did come close with looping header, but neither side looked particularly interested in breaking the deadlock as the game progressed towards a predictable stalemate.