Robbie Keane says he is happy to shoulder the burden of responsibility and will not be weighed down by expectation as the Republic of Ireland prepare for Euro 2012.
The 31-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker will wear the captain's armband in Poland and Ukraine, while he will also be the man expected to carry the bulk of his side's goal threat after extending his record tally for the nation to 53 in qualification.
He is ready for the challenge of taking on a key role both as a player and a leader, but insists everyone in the squad must rise to the occasion.
"Of course there's always responsibility on you as captain," he said.
"Especially when you are away for so long, there are going to be times where a few of the lads are going to be down, there are going to be a few little niggles in training with players, but that's normal stuff when you are away and you are stuck in a hotel for a long, long time.
"But it's important for me as captain and the senior players, as soon as any sort of negativity is around the camp, it's important that us as senior players nip it in the bud straight away.
"As captain, you can't carry the whole team, so first and foremost, you have to make sure that as a player, you are doing the best you can to help the team, so I will certainly be doing that."
There will be a heightened level of expectation on Ireland as a result of the strides they have made under Giovanni Trapattoni in the last four years, despite the fact that they have been drawn in a tough group which also includes Spain, Italy and Croatia.
But that too is not something which unduly concerns Keane.
He said: "That comes with how well we have done as a team. If you have seen the performances since the manager took over the reins, the level has increased a hell of a lot.
"That's full credit to the players and the backroom staff. Expectations come when you are doing well as a team, so that's the reason for that."
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