The young shot-stopper would not even be in the squad on Saturday afternoon if Wanderers' manager Owen Coyle had decided to hold on to Wigan number one Al-Habsi, who made the short move from the Reebok to the DW Stadium in a transfer worth around £5 million last summer.
"Even last year, I think Ali was brilliant. Wigan stayed up last year and he was a big big part of it, and he didn't stop [performing well] this season either," said Bogdan, who was speaking to Bolton Wanderers podcast TheMenInWhite.com
"I am very very happy for him because he’s a very nice guy, and a very good goalkeeper. I hope he plays well."
The flame-haired custodian also revealed that he is not overly enamoured with Bolton's choice of goalkeeper shirts this season.
"Definitely not. It’s not my decision. It’s something I have to wear but it’s not my favourite.
"I could say something worse than that!"
And it was Al-Habsi's departure that allowed him his chance.
"When he left he went on loan for a year and that opened the space for me. It meant the management trusted me I think, to let Ali go. It was very good for him, but very good for me as well. I think it was a win-win situation."
