Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hopes the increased responsibility on Ryan Jack will help the midfielder develop into a leader.
The 23 year-old has been appointed captain at Pittodrie by the Dons manager and he responded to the increased responsibilities by scoring the opening goal in his side’s 8-2 win at Brechin City in the club’s first pre-season game on Wednesday.
The Dons manager had several candidates when deliberating who should succeed former captain Russell Anderson, who retired at the end of last season, but believes Jack’s growing influence at the club made him the ideal choice.
McInnes said: “Ryan Jack will captain the team this season. With Russell retiring that responsibility had to fall on someone and I feel that Ryan will flourish under the responsibility of that role.
“I believe it will help his development as a player.
“He is a very influential player for us anyway and we are looking for that influence now as captain.
“It has to be said that when you consider who could have been your captain there were a number of players who came into my thoughts.
“Mark Reynolds will do what he has done for the last few years by supporting Jacko from the position of Vice-Captain. He is brilliant in that role. There are a few other players there who would make good captains.
“You want a team full of them but only one person can wear the arm band and this season it will be Ryan Jack.”