Late Boyata winner edges Celtic past Qarabag
DEDRYCK Boyata’s late winner gave Celtic a crucial first-leg advantage in their Champions League third qualifying round tie with FK Qarabag.
The Belgian defender, who also netted against Stjarnan in the previous round, headed home substitute Kris Commons’ corner eight minutes from time.
It had been another frustrating European night for the Scottish champions at Celtic Park prior to that with Virgil van Dijk going the closest, bringing a stunning save out of visiting keeper Ibrahim Sehic.
The Azerbaijan outfit threatened sporadically but defended stoutly to restrict Celtic’s chances in a tight contest in Glasgow.
But the Hoops – who thrashed Icelandic champions Stjarnan 6-1 on aggregate in the second qualifying round – will take a precious if slender lead into next Wednesday’s return leg in Baku, with boss Ronny Deila urging them to score the away goal which would effectively finish off the tie.
Should they progress, Celtic have a two-legged play-off to negotiate if they are to reach the group stages of the competition for the first time since 2013.
Deila made one change from last week’s 4-1 win in Gardabaer with Emilio Izaguirre returning at left-back for Charlie Mulgrew, who sustained a knee injury in Saturday’s friendly victory over Rennes.
Back in the team: The Honduran, whose European displays have been criticised in the past, was left out against Stjarnan last weekend (Picture from Sky Sports)
The Norwegian boss had called on the home crowd to strike fear into a Qarabag side who beat FC Twente, Inter Milan and finalists Dnipro in last season’s Europa League.
However, as the 43,000 fans inside Parkhead would testify to, Gurban Gurbanov’s team delivered on their promise to provide a much stiffer challenge for Celtic, who toiled for much of the first half.
Nadir Ciftci, banned for the first six league games for biting an opponent, was again preferred in attack in Europe to Leigh Griffiths but endured another frustrating evening in search of his first Celtic goal since joining from Dundee United on July 9.
His ex-United team-mate Gary Mackay-Steven provided the only shot on target in the first 45 minutes with a stinging 18-yard drive that Sehic grabbed at the second attempt.
Qarabag, comfortable at the back and confident in possession, were rarely troubled and caused problems on the break as Richard Almeida swept Javid Taghiyev’s cross wide of the post on the half-hour mark.
New deal: The Scotland international, who joined as a free agent last summer, will remain with the Hoops for another three seasons (Picture from BT Sport)
Celtic stopper Craig Gordon, who extended his contract to 2018 earlier in the day, then made an unconventional save from Almeida’s free-kick after van Dijk had been booked for a foul on Taghiyev 25 yards out.
The Hoops increased the urgency and adventure in their play following the interval without improving their finishing.
Ciftci had two presentable opportunities but headed Izaguirre’s cross wide of the target before firing straight at the midriff of Sehic from 12 yards.
Midway through the second half, van Dijk thought he had broken the deadlock only for Sehic to turn his header aside magnificently before the Dutch defender lashed another effort over the crossbar soon after.
Sacrificed: The Israeli midfielder, who scored the equaliser against Stjarnan last week, was withdrawn in the second period (Picture from Sky Sports)
Deila turned to the substitutes’ bench for much-needed impetus and additional firepower with Griffiths, Commons and James Forrest sent on for Ciftci, Stuart Armstrong and Nir Bitton in relatively quick succession.
It increasingly looked like Celtic would have to settle for stalemate before the decisive moment arrived on cue, much to their joy if not relief.
Commons, making his first competitive appearance since breaking his toe in a domestic accident, delivered an inviting corner which was met with a bullet header by Boyata as the £1.5 million signing from Manchester City netted in successive home games.
While the celebrations took place around Celtic Park, the Qarabag goalkeeper’s appeals for a foul in the build-up went unheeded by the Austrian officials.
Despite the goal, there was enough evidence to suggest that Celtic – who unfurl the Scottish Premiership flag before their opening league match against Ross County on Saturday – have work to do at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium next midweek to extend their Champions League journey.
TEAMS:
Celtic (4-2-3-1): 1 Gordon, 23 Lustig, 20 Boyata, 5 van Dijk, 3 Izaguirre, 8 Brown (c), 6 Bitton (Griffiths 69'), 16 Mackay-Steven, 25 Johansen, 14 Armstrong (Forrest 62'), 7 Ciftci (Commons 80').
Subs not used: 26 Bailly (GK), 4 Ambrose, 22 Janko, 18 Rogic.
Booked: Izaguirre (36'), van Dijk (44'), Forrest (90+1')
Goals: Boyata (82')
FK Qarabag (4-5-1): 13 Sehic, 18 Gurbanov, 55 Huseynov, 14 Sadygov (c), 25 Agolli, 67 El Jadeyaoui (Poepon 82'), 20 Richard Almeida, 2 Garayev, 10 Dani Quintana (Diniyev 82'), 77 Taghiyev (Mammadov 73'), 9 Reynaldo.
Subs not used: 1 Veliyev (GK), 6 Mustafayev, 19 Salahli, 32 Yunuszada.
Booked: Agolli (62')
Referee: Robert Schorgenhofer (Austria) Attendance: 43,011
MATCH FACTS:
Possession: Celtic 53%, Qarabag 47% Attempts: Celtic 8, Qarabag 8 Attempts on target: Celtic 4, Qarabag 1 Attempts off target: Celtic 4, Qarabag 7 Corners: Celtic 2, Qarabag 4 Offsides: Celtic 2, Qarabag 1 Fouls: Celtic 13, Qarabag 10
