ADAM Bogdan refuses to count his chickens after getting the nod ahead of Jussi Jaaskelainen at Blackburn.

The young keeper knows he faces a challenge from both the Big Finn and the returning Ali Al-Habsi for a first team start next season.

And while he was happy with his work at Ewood Park, if not the result, the 23-year-old admits he has a tough fight to hold on to a place.

“We have four good goalkeepers at this club and three who have played in the Premier League,” he said. “Ali is doing really well on loan at Wigan and congratulations to him because he’s a really good guy, so it isn’t going to be easy to get a place next season. But it never is.

“Of course, I want to play, but that’s the manager’s decision. My job is to try and keep myself in the team if I get the chance.”

Bogdan only learned on Saturday morning that he would be making his ninth appearance of the season, but said some pre-match words from regular number one Jaaskelainen had helped settle the nerves.

“I’m proud that I got a start in the Premier League,” he said. “It’s a strange feeling because Jussi was there on the bench but I told myself to put that out of my mind.

“He’s been brilliant in every game I have played. When I was down doing my warm-up he was giving me some advice about my kicking.

“He’s a decent lad and I can learn all sorts of things from him.”

Given the windy conditions, Bogdan might well feel he got the rough end of the deal by starting the game – but he is sure he will improve from the experience.

“It was a very tough game because they put every free kick into the box,” he added. “They didn’t make it easy.

“Of all the games I have played so far, none have been this physical, so it was a brilliant learning curve for me. So I have to take this forward.”