The Three Graces were swallowed up by a thick red fog, the players all but disappearing from the view of the thousands gathered as on-board DJ Calvin Harris provided the party music and fireworks exploded in the sky.
"To be honest I woke up this morning in a terrible mood," left-back Andy Robertson said.
"Everyone did. We were disappointed. Obviously dreading the parade a bit. Then when you get on this bus you realise the best fans in the world come out.
"It has lifted the spirits for all of us. It will give us a nice ending to a really tough season.
"You want to win the big final. When you don't you worry about how you will be received, what will go on, who will show up. My goodness, what a turnout. They have given us something to be happy about. To represent them, for all of us is the biggest honour."
