Ronny Deila paid tribute to the discipline and focus of his Celtic players after they earned the scoreless draw required in Baku to eliminate FK Qarabag from their Champions League qualifier.
The Glasgow side are now in the hat for the play-off round and victory in that tie would see Deila leading the Scottish champions into the lucrative group stage of Europe’s elite club competition.
In testing conditions in Baku, Celtic restricted their Azerbaijani opponents to few chances on a pitch that ensured a scrappy contest.
The Celtic boss admitted there was plenty of relief at having come through a big test.
“I am very relieved and happy. It was a hard match and I am very proud of the boys.
“The team effort today was unbelievable and we defended well. They hardly had a chance, maybe a couple of half chances. That’s very good against a good team,” said Deila.
“Offensively we want to do more, but now I don’t think about that now I am just happy to get through.”
Deila said Celtic had to earn the right to go through against a talented Qarabag outfit but he says there is plenty to work on for the next round.
“When you come around Europe, the other team can play football. We met a very good team today that had good results last year. We got the right result today and made it through, that’s the most important thing but of course there are things to learn,” he said.
The Norwegian felt his team had enough quality possession in good areas to have scored the away goal that would have killed the tie, but he insists the will come on for the experience.
“We were calm, disciplined and patient and that is always important in European matches.
“We are developing all the time, we need games like to continue that development and we will be better in the next match,” he said.
Celtic face Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, a game they are 1.36 to win.
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