Bogdan determined to provoke old boss in Parkhead reunion
ADAM BOGDAN hopes to bring out Neil Lennon’s fiery side by ensuring Celtic’s Champions League hopes go up in smoke.
The Ferencvaros goalkeeper will always be grateful to the Northern Irishman for giving him two chances to kick-start his career following persistent injury woes.
However, Bogdan readily admits that the Parkhead boss was a challenging man to work under at times, fluctuating between the “happiest man in the world” to the “angriest man you have ever seen” depending on the scoreline.
The Hungary internationalist credits that to a compulsive will to win – an attribute he respects – and reckons that makes Celtic the perfect club for him.
Nevertheless, Bogdan will cast sentiment aside and attempt to enrage his old gaffer this evening.
Bogdan smiled: “Neil [Lennon] is not always the easiest person to be coached by because he has the highest demands you can imagine. It’s like life depends on winning!
“He can be the happiest man in the world if you are doing well or the angriest man you have ever seen if you don’t do well.
“But that’s his character and as long as you know what he is, and where that passion comes from, he is a good guy.
“I will always respect him and I am happy to see him doing well at Celtic.”
The pair first worked together at Bolton during the 2014/15 campaign, with Lennon pitching Bogdan into the starting line-up for the final 12 games of the season following finger and ankle injuries.
He produced a purple patch which landed him a move to Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool.
The relationship between the duo was enough for Lennon to take Bogdan to Hibs in 2018 as be battled back from 17 months injured with cruciate knee ligament damage.
Bogdan recalled: “Neil was very good to me twice in my career. Once at Bolton, I was struggling he gave me the chance to come back into the side – having been No.1 before my injuries.
“I took that opportunity and he wanted me to stay at Bolton for longer. However, you don’t say no to Liverpool.
“And he was the man who gave me the chance to come back to football again with Hibs after a very long time out with my knee problems. That was a big moment and show of faith for me.”
However, Bogdan is adamant the Hungarian giants are not in Glasgow to make up the numbers, with Fradi boasting a “humble confidence” after picking up six points in a Europa League group with Espanyol, Ludogorets and
CSKA Moscow last term, including a 1-0 win in Russia which should serve as a warning to Scottish champions.
Bogdan added: “The dream is to get is to get into the Champions League group phase – but we could have drawn an easier opponent, that’s for sure!
“We are not expected to win because everyone has a lot of respect for Celtic’s history. However, I’d say we have a humble confidence. The team reached the Europa League group stages last season and competed with teams like Espanyol and CSKA Moscow.
“The question in Europe is whether you can live up to the speed of the game.”