Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata confident of Champions League progression

First-leg hero Dedryck Boyata has insisted that the spirit among the squad can help carry Celtic into the Champions League group stages.

The Bhoys required a late headed winner from their summer signing against Qarabag FK to earn a slender lead in the third qualifying-round clash.

Celtic still face a tough task if they are to overcome the Azerbaijani outfit in next week's reverse tie, but Boyata is confident that his side can get the job done.

"I think we have shown that we are a good team and we can play there," he is quoted as saying by the Evening Times. "That is the dream for all of us.

"I think we will score in Azerbaijan. We have the players who are good enough at this level. It was frustrating last night because we were trying to create chances and the goal was not coming so it was great to get it.

"But the spirit in this group of players is so good. We did not ever give up hope that we would not score. We believe that we can win the second leg."

Celtic failed to progress beyond the qualifying rounds last season, having lost to Slovenian side Maribor at the playoff stage.