Celtic have endured a frustrating opening 45 minutes of their Champions League third qualifying round clash with Qarabag FK, being held to a goalless first half by the Azerbaijani champions.
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The hosts entered the match looking to avoid a second consecutive defeat at this stage of the competition, but Qarabag fired a couple of early warning shots from range that failed to trouble Craig Gordon.
Celtic's first real sight of goal came in the 13th minute when Stuart Armstrong released Gary Mackay-Steven through on goal, but Qarabag got back in numbers to crowd the Scot out.
It was Mackay-Steven who tested the goalkeeper for the first time too, with Celtic creating the chance with some good build-up play in and around the area before Ibrahim Sehic gathered the eventual shot at the second attempt.
Ronny Deila's side were, as expected, on top in Glasgow, but Qarabag showed the odd flash of threatening an upset, such as when Richard sent a curling effort just past the post on the half-hour mark.
Much of the visitors' best work came in defence, however, as they produced a stubborn performance to keep the Bhoys at bay until the break.
Barney Corkhill
