There were tears at Tannadice, even though it was a happy silver anniversary for Dundee United.
Exactly a year after lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden, the Tangerines brought another successful season to an end with victory over Hearts.
There may not be another gleaming trophy to place on the boardroom table but what United have done is produce a campaign that has matched or even bettered most expectations.
Their league finishjust two points behind the third-placed Jam Tartsmeans it is the first time since 1986-87 that they have finished in the top four in the Premier League in successive seasons.
That they have done so with so many key men out injured for long spells, and with the knowledge that some of their Hampden heroes would be moving on, is to their credit.
One of those men heading for pastures new, midfielder Morgaro Gomis, signed off with a man-of-the-match display before revealing it was an emotional end of an era when the full-time whistle blew.
“A few of the boys were in tears at the end because we are all good friends and it was very sad,” he said.
“It was emotional because it is the end for the team that won the Scottish Cup but we can be proud of what we have achieved.
“We lifted the cup and even this season I think we have had a very good year.
“I will always look out for the United score wherever I end up because the experience has been very special for me.
“I think the club has a very bright future because the manager will be looking to bring in new players and there are a lot of talented guys still here and coming through the ranks.
“I would also like to thank the fans because they have been great to me.”
Tannadice boss Peter Houston paid special tribute to the group of departing players, which also includes Prince Buaben, Craig Conway, David Robertson, Darren Dods and Andis Shala.
“It was an emotional day and the lads were feeling that at the end,” said Houston.
“Good luck to the boys who are leaving. They have done themselves and Dundee United proud. They leave with their heads held high.”
The hosts won the match thanks to a 22nd-minute strike from David Goodwillie then a goal from Jon Daly on 71 minutes, with Gary Glen’s counter for Hearts on 31 minutes sandwiched in between.
“I thought a draw would have been a fairer result but we will take the win and that gets us close to last season’s points total (61 this season as compared to 63 last), which is a great achievement,” added Houston.
United made four changes to the line-up that started at Ibrox against Rangers on Tuesday, with Garry Kenneth, Keith Watson, David Robertson and Scott Robertson being replaced by Sean Dillon, Mihael Kovacevic, Buaben and Daly.
United had a great chance to take the lead on nine minutes when Daly played in Goodwillie but, as the Scotland man got ready to burst the net, a fine interception from Hearts’ Craig Thomson prevented the goal.
Goodwillie had another golden opportunity just a couple of minutes later when the ball bounced off team-mate Scott Severin inside the Hearts box. The frontman got a boot to the ball but keeper Marian Kello did well to save from close range.
The Jam Tarts came close through a Craig Thomson free-kick on 20 minutes after the rampaging David Templeton had been fouled by Buaben, then Jason Thomson replaced the injured Andrew Driver.
The Tangerines took a deserved lead on 22 minutes and it was the two Hampden goalscorers who combined to cut through Hearts.
Conway fired the ball over from the left and Goodwillie pounced, taking a couple of goes before forcing his shot over the line from close range.
The bookings were coming thick and fastEggert Jonsson and Craig Thomson of Hearts as well as United’s Dillonbefore the visitors levelled on 31 minutes.
Templeton was the provider for Glen, who head-flicked his colleague’s cross from the left just inside the far post.
Buoyed up by the equaliser, Craig Thomson brought a terrific save out of United goalie Dusan Pernis four minutes later, the Slovakian international tipping the ball over the bar.
Conway reciprocated at the other end, sending a long-range strike just wide.
The second half almost started in embarrassing fashion for Goodwillie when he played a back-pass to Pernis that was nearly caught by Glen before running through to the goalie.
Kovacevic then played a one-two with Goodwillie on 49 minutes but Kello did well to save the Swiss’s shot. Daly headed the resultant corner into the Hearts keeper’s arms.
A brilliant pass from Gomis into the box was collected by Goodwillie on 54 minutes but the angle was too acute and the striker’s shot spun across goal and out.
Buaben, who joined Gomis in having a fine match in the middle of the park, blasted over from the edge of the box a couple of minutes later before picking up a yellow card for persistent fouling.
Templeton then had a chance to put Hearts ahead but Pernis did well to race out of his goal to save his attempt.
On 71 minutes, though, the Tangerines regained the lead with a well-taken goal.
The ball floated around on the edge of the Hearts box. Defender Ismael Bouzid only succeeded in heading down to Daly’s feet and the big man lashed a sweet strike low into the corner of the net.
That was the end of the goalmouth action and after the final whistle went both sets of players took the applause of their own fans.
Hearts donned T-shirts celebrating their place in the Europa League, while United got a standing ovation from their supporters, who will now have to wait and see who takes over from their favourites as Scottish Cup holders on Saturday at Hampden.
Should Celtic beat Motherwell then the Tangerines will be looking out their passports again and preparing for a return to continental competition.
That would be a fitting finale to another fine season.