JOHN CLARK knew something about the art of defending.

The man who unfurled the Premiership flag at Parkhead last Saturday was part of Celtic’s most famous – some would say, only – defensive display when, in 1967, the club travelled to Dukla Prague protecting a 3-1 lead from the first leg of their European Cup semi-final in Glasgow.

Going against everything he stood for, manager Jock Stein didn’t so much shut up shop, but rather he closed down the shop, boarded up the windows and then wrapped it in concrete. Nothing was getting past ... nothing did.

For those who saw the game, they claim it was Clark’s finest in a Celtic jersey.

He never missed a tackle, read everything Dukla tried to do and did more than anyone to see the game out for 0-0, so ensuring history would be made when the Hoops went on to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Lisbon final.

The Lion and long-time servant is 74 now, and what he and manager Ronny Deila would give for a 0-0 here tomorrow night.

It could be a nervy evening for Celtic and their supporters, even though Qarabag are not as good as the Scottish champions.

But that doesn’t mean to say they are miles behind and, anyway, European football is full of examples of a superior side losing. Remember Barcelona.

However, a clean sheet will do. A goal for Celtic should also be enough given that three would be required by their hosts to reach the play-off round.

Celtic will be cautious. The full-backs won’t go charging up the park, whatever condition it may be in.

Nir Bitton – if fit – and Scott Brown, won’t stray too far forward, and the attacking players will be mindful of their defensive duties. An ugly draw, as witnessed in Prague all those years ago, would do and then some.

Qarabag never looked like scoring in Glasgow. They will, however, look to score quickly tomorrow and they fancy pulling off a result.

Spanish playmaker Dani Quintana – or Dani as he is known – is a clever player, and if anyone is going to hurt Celtic, then it might just be this guy.

He said: “Celtic are a very strong team and it was a tough game in Glasgow. Of course I expected that, but I had watched a DVD of Celtic’s game against Legia Warsaw in Poland in this round last year and this current team is much, much better.

“They played good football and were strong. Celtic didn’t let us play as we like to in Baku. We normally like to keep the ball, but it was very difficult as they pressed the game well and they deserved their win.

“We now have another game in Baku and it’s going to be very different. We are at home and are in front of our own people. It will be a lot warmer temperatures for Celtic, so it will be difficult for them.

“Before that even happens, they will have had a long flight to Baku and it’s not easy to fly there and then play.

“As I said, the weather is totally different. It is much hotter. Also, we are in front of our supporters and we play for them. I hope we have some surprises for Celtic and I hope we can do it. We can beat them.

“Remember, we don’t need to rush around and win the game 2-0. We can take our time and win 1-0. We can win on penalties if we need.

“It’s not like the tie was finished in Glasgow. We are sure and we are confident in ourselves. Let’s see what is going to happen, but I truly believe in us to win.”

If Celtic play as they can, then they will go through. It’s as simple as that. Defeat would mean there would still be a chance to qualify for the Europa League, but it is the Champions League group stages the management, players and supporters crave.

Deila is forgiven for last year’s failures, but he would lose a bit of face were history to repeat itself. He does have one advantage in that Qarabag are a much smaller team, so expect to see a lot of crosses put into their penalty area.

Dani said: “We played very well defensively in Glasgow, although we knew they would be very strong on set-pieces. Look at Dedryck Boyata, who scored the goal. He stands beside the man who is with him and marking him and he is 20cm taller.

“It is like that around the pitch. They are a big and strong squad, but we have to try and find our way to combat that.

“Celtic is a big club and there is no comparison with last season’s team. The captain Scott Brown is a good player and so is Stefan Johansen, although he was not so good in Glasgow. The strikers are dangerous and the defenders are also very fast.

“You can be dribbling at Boyata, but you know in a couple of seconds if you go past him, he can recover and catch up.”

More defending like that will be required on the banks of the Caspian Sea.