Shackell named new Clarets' captain (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Shackell named new Clarets' captain

8:00pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in Football By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

MANAGER Eddie Howe has revealed that summer signing Jason Shackell will be Burnley's new team captain, taking over from Chris McCann.

Midfielder McCann became one of the youngest Clarets captains when he took the armband last summer.

But the armband has been transferred to central defender Shackell, with Howe believing McCann can get back to his best without the added burden of responsibility.

“Jason is a leader. We've seen that in training, and in the game he was a very, very good talker on the football pitch and off the pitch,” said Howe this afternoon's 4-1 win at Altrincham, where former Barnsley captain Shackell led the team out.

“I think he's got everyone's respect and he will lead the team.

“It's no criticism of Chris at all. Chris is a fantastic player and a wonderful person as well. He's a leader in his own right, but I just feel that it's taken a bit of pressure off him and enables him to concentrate on his own game and being the player that we know he is.

“With Shacks I felt it was the right thing to do.”

Comments are closed on this article.