Sunderland forward Lyndon Gooch has revealed his pride in captaining the Black Cats in Saturday's friendly win over Hearts.
The Wearsiders ended their week-long training camp in Scotland with a 2-0 victory at Tynecastle, thanks to two goals from Aiden McGeady.
It was a comfortable win for Lee Johnson's men, with Manchester City loanee Callum Doyle impressing on a day of many positives.
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With Max Power and Grant Leadbitter both leaving the club at the end of last season, Sunderland are in need for a new captain for the coming campaign, and it was Gooch who took the armband at the weekend.
The USA international has become one of the club's most experienced players and, along with the likes of Bailey Wright, will be a leading candidate to take the captaincy full time.
But after leading out the club he has represented since the age of 10, Gooch took to social media to express his pride.
"It may have only been a pre-season friendly, but it meant everything to captain the lads for the first time this afternoon!" he tweeted. "Great end to the trip up north."
Sunderland now return to England for friendlies against York, Harrogate and Tranmere before ending their preparations with a game against last season's League One champions Hull City at the Stadium of Light on July 30.
The league season gets under way on Saturday, August 7 when Wigan Athletic provide the opposition.
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