Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard says his new-look team showed real character when they ended Celtic's 19-match unbeaten home run in Europe with a 3-1 win in the Champions League on Tuesday.

"We starting off by playing some entertaining, attacking football," said the former Netherlands international. "We kept our shape throughout the game which isn't an easy thing to do at a ground like theirs where the players are under so much pressure from the crowd.

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"We then reacted brilliantly after they equalised and never gave up. The team showed that they have a very strong spirit and a real winning mentality."

Barca took the lead with a beautifully fashioned opener from Portugal midfielder Deco in the first half but missed the chance to extend it at the start of the second when Ronaldinho had a penalty saved by Celtic keeper David Marshall.

Celtic sparked into life after the save and substitute Chris Sutton put them on level terms four minutes later with a cracking goal on the run.

But Barca weathered the storm and regained the lead when in-form French midfielder Ludovic Giuly hit home in the 78th minute.

Former Parkhead favourite Henrik Larsson added a third eight minutes from time after a neat chip over Marshall to deal his old side their first home European defeat since they lost to Ajax in a Champions League qualifier in August 2001.

"I preferred to send him (Larsson) on in the second half so that he could make that extra difference," said Rijkaard.

"He's a great professional and whenever he steps on to the pitch he does something new. He was right not to celebrate the goal because the seven years at Celtic meant a lot to him."

Ronaldinho, who was playing his first competitive game of the season for Barca after recovering from an ankle injury, said the performance augured well for the rest of the Champions League.

"I was a little upset to have missed the penalty, but delighted with the victory," he said.

"All I'm going to do now is make sure I practise my penalties so I don't miss again."