Dedryck Boyata was the unlikely hero for Celtic last night after the defender broke the resistance of an impressive Qarabag side at Celtic Park and gave the Hoops a narrow lead to take to Azerbaijan next Wednesday night.

With the clock ticking and the game goalless, it was Boyata who met a corner from substitute Kris Commons and gave Celtic a goal that will give Ronny Deila's side something to cling to in the return leg.

This UEFA third round, first leg qualifier against an impressive Qarabag side was an anxious affair for the most part. Even after Celtic had finally found a break-through in the latter stages, there was still a nervous edge to the game given the magnitude of what is at stake for the victors.

Over the piece, Celtic will feel that they did enough to merit the win but they will steel themselves for an intense evening in the return leg next week since their visitors showed enough to suggest that they will be challenge to contain on home turf.

The biggest call of the evening was the starting jersey handed to Nadir Ciftci at the expense of Leigh Griffiths, while Emilio Izaguirre was drafted back in for the injured Charlie Mulgrew.

It was a resolute Qarabag side that Celtic faced, with the visitors comfortable on the ball and sleek in possession.

In Dani Quintana the visitors had a player of quick thinking and even quicker feet who was capable of causing problems and although Celtic settled and found their rhythm, they were often frustrated at the lack of genuine openings available.

Too often Ciftic went too deep in search of greater involvement in the game, although the Turk could not be faulted for work rate or effort.

He could have found the net twice in the second half with one free header which he turned wide and another snapshot effort that he hit straight Ibrahim Sehic in the Qarabag goal.

The keeper, though, pulled off a superb stop to deny Virgil Van Dijk after a Stefan Johansen free-kick was met by the head of the Dutch defender.

Leigh Griffiths was introduced to the fray mid-way through the second period at the expense of Nir Bitton as Celtic went in search of goals.

Kris Commons relieved Ciftci with ten minutes remaining and within seconds of appearing he had provided the set-piece for the opening goal.

His delivery from a corner kick found Boyata who powered in a fierce header to break the resistance of Qarabag and give Celtic a precious lead to hang on to in Azerbaijan.