Boyata buoyed by late Celtic winner
Dedryck Boyata’s late goal gave Celtic a Champions League advantage over Qarabag and the confidence to complete the job in Azerbaijan next week.
The first leg of the third qualifier at Parkhead was heading for a draw until the 82nd minute when former Manchester City defender, recruited in the summer and who got off the mark with a goal against Stjarnan in the last round, headed in a corner from Kris Commons.
Looking ahead positively to the return game in Baku next Wednesday night, the Belgium cap said: “We know that away goals are really important and managed to not concede.
“We scored a goal and so we go there with the advantage but we still know there are 90 minutes to be played and we know it will be really hard.
“Before the game, we knew they were a really good team on the ball. They held it a bit, sitting in and then looking for opportunities.
“But they have to score over there.
“For us, it’s about choosing the right tactic and coming up with the right result.
“We have the quality to win the game over there.
“You never know what can happen in the next 90 minutes but we can come back with a good result.”
Boss Ronny Deila believes the clean sheet could be the key to progress to the play-off.
“We are in a good position,” said the Norwegian. “If we score then they need three and that is a positive.
“First of all we need a team over there. I think player for player we are a stronger team.
“I believe in my players. I think we are individually good and have strong qualities.
“They are also a good team, they have had the same coach for seven years working in the same system.
“They are relaxed and concentrated so we need to put together a very good team performance if we are going to get through.
“But we have a good chance with 1-0.”
