Hearts have confirmed Craig Gordon as their new club captain after the retirement of Steven Naismith.
The Tynecastle hero returned to the club last summer after leaving Celtic and played a big part in them earning promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
And now he'll have the armband when they walk out for their first Premier Sports Cup tie this weekend as they look to get their season off to a flying start.
The goalkeeper was the obvious option for Robbie Neilson after Naismith decided to retire from playing, although the former Rangers star is now working in the youth academy.
And Naismith had declared Gordon as the perfect candidate for the role, although there would have been competition from the likes of Michael Smith, Craig Halkett and John Souttar.
He said: "When I wasn't playing or on the bench last year, it was big Craig Gordon (who would be captain) and that's what I would expect to happen.
"I think he's a natural to take over the armband officially.
"Outwith him you have some good pros who day to day in training will constantly drive the standards.
"John Souttar is one of them, Craig Halkett, you have Michael Smith, Liam Boyce - international players.
"Since coming in the manager always had that leadership group, not one or two, but four or five boys who would come to a decision on the key things the manager would want to make big calls on.
"The manager was very open with that and he liked that group, rather than an individual.
"There are a few who have come out of that group, myself, and Christophe Berra has moved on, so maybe as the season starts there may be one or two added to that.
"It is a gradual thing, one that is constantly moving."
