Ross County defender Marcus Fraser will permanently assume the captain’s armband following the departure of skipper Andrew Davies.
Englishman Davies, who led County to the League Cup in 2016, ended his three-year stay with the Staggies to join Hartlepool United earlier this week.
Davies’ departure vacated the captaincy but County co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson have acted swiftly to appoint Fraser to the role.
The 24-year-old stepped in to replace Davies on several occasions when Davies was absent last term, and Kettlewell felt he was a natural fit for the position.
Kettlewell said: “We spoke to Marcus face-to-face before the players reported back and made it clear we felt he was our club captain.
“He’d taken the role of vice-captain last season. We just think given his age, his affinity with this football club over the last number of years and just his unbelievable drive as a player, that is so infectious and will be infectious with his team-mates.
“The first thing we did when the players came back was have a meeting about what we want to see over the course of the season.
“We told the players straight away that was the way it was going to be. We felt it was important everyone knew that and weren’t left guessing over pre-season, wondering who would captain the football club.
“It is a huge honour – both myself and Steven have held it at every club we’ve been at.”
Fraser joined County in January 2015 after being released by Celtic, and has gone on to make 131 appearances for the club, and Kettlewell is confident he can develop further despite County’s relegation to the Championship.
He added: “Marcus is a prime example of somebody who has been the great for this football club, but also the club has been very good for him.
“Coming back from injuries having not played a lot of first team football, this has been his platform to go and do so.
“Marcus was hurting at the end of last season because he wears his heart on his sleeve – he’s a passionate guy.
“But he’s also come back with a real freshness and vibrancy. He just wants to kick on now and take his career to the next level now and, hopefully, be part of some success at this football club.
“Again, that’s what made our decision very easy.”
