Barca trailed twice in their last-16 first leg in Scotland, but fought back to record a 3-2 victory last night thanks to two strikes from Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry's 45th Champions League goal.

"The team played very well, including when we were behind. I think that it has been one of the best games of the season on our part," said Puyol.

"Not only for the result, which is very good, but because the team were good in every department.

"One of the keys, in that sense, was the ability to react to them going in front."

The Spain defender warned the tie against Celtic was not sewn up yet though, despite the fact Barca have won 15 of their 18 competitive matches at the Nou Camp this season, losing just once.

"We cannot think that everything is already done," he said.

"We are still not in the quarter-finals, despite the 3-2 scoreline, although it is a great advantage for the Nou Camp."

Puyol's defensive partner Gabriel Milito echoed those comments, saying: "We have played a great game.

"I think that we have had one of the best games in recent times and in a very tough atmosphere. We have known how to react well."

Goal hero Messi said in Spanish newspaper AS: "Our victory was deserved. We controlled the game throughout.

"We reacted quickly to their goal, we conceded two but we scored three. This result will help us to continue moving forward."

After an inconsistent season to date, Barca finally look to be up and running.

Frank Rijkaard's troops have suffered just one defeat in their last 21 competitive matches, with that loss coming at home against arch-rivals Real Madrid just before Christmas.

The Catalan giants have also won four of their last five matches, are in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and have trimmed Real's lead at the top of the Primera Liga standings back to five points.

Barca's improved form could hardly have come at a better time, with important league matches against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal coming up in the next few weeks, as well as both legs of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia, and the return match against Celtic.

Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta believes the victory at Celtic Park will serve as a confidence booster for his side as they reach the business end of the campaign.

"We have suffered because we were behind in the scoring, but we have very good feelings from the match. This is going to give us a lot of confidence," he said.

"You can say that we have taken an important step in Europe."