DONS & KILLIE IN EUROPE
Lewis: Buffon & Neuer have shown goalies can be skipper so I will follow their lead at Aberdeen
NEW Aberdeen captain Joe Lewis is taking inspiration from goalkeeping greats Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer as he tries to lead the team to glory.
The Pittodrie No.1 has been named as successor to Graeme Shinnie ahead of their Europa League opener against RoPS tonight.
Lewis knows it is unusual for a goalie to wear the armband but will follow legends Buffon and Neuer’s lead as he proudly joins the company of Jim Leighton and Bobby Clark who led the Dons with distinction.
He said: “I’m proud to be the captain of Aberdeen, especially when you see the names who have been before you.
“We eat our lunch in the Captains’ Lounge so all the pictures on the wall tell the history of who has been skipper here. I will feel immensely proud to have my name associated with them.
“Being a goalkeeper means it’s a bit unusual to become captain but you have seen it before with Buffon and Neuer.
“It’s certainly a job a keeper can do and although I won’t be in the thick of the action all the time I can use my influence from the back.
“It’s not all about on the pitch either, there are a lot of roles you have to take on away from the games. You have to lead by example every day, not just on a Saturday.”
Lewis has seen for himself the impact influential captains – such as superstar David Beckham in his time with the England squad 11 years ago and Shinnie at Aberdeen last season – can make.
But the 31-year-old joked his biggest job will be collecting the fines from the Pittodrie dressing room.
He said: “When I was at Cardiff Mark Hudson was also someone we really looked up to on and off the pitch.
“Graeme gave everything for the shirt here and when I got in the England squad all those years ago it was David Beckham.
“He led by example. Although he was quite softly spoken you could see from what he did on the pitch he dragged the team to victories.
“The manager leaves us to police the dressing room. We have a fines list and I’m sure we’ll have a look over it again to see if there is anything else needing added to it.
“It’s a good laugh but it also keeps people in check with their timekeeping and other things. The pot should be pretty full by the end of the season.”
But Lewis’ first task is making sure the Dons avoid an upset against RoPS tonight.
He said: “You want to get off to a good start, there is no time to be sloppy.
“RoPS haven’t had a great start to their season but they were second in Finland last year. The work’s been done by the staff so there will be no excuses.”