Middlesbrough Captaincy Twist as Kim Hellberg Explains Why Callum Brittain Got the Armband

Brittain was handed the armband for the first time since joining Boro from Blackburn Rovers just over 12 months ago, with his promotion coming in what proved to be Middlesbrough's first league away win of the new season.

The 27-year-old played a key role in the victory too, providing the assist for Will Lankshear's winning goal while taking responsibility as captain.

It was also the first time this season that Luke Ayling had not worn the armband, with the experienced defender starting the match on the bench.

Ayling remains Middlesbrough's captain

Hellberg was quick to make one thing clear: Brittain's involvement in the leadership group does not mean Ayling has lost his position as club captain.

Instead, the Boro boss has established a wider group of players he trusts to take responsibility when required.

"I have one captain in Luke Ayling then I have a group of four which is my captain," Hellberg explained.

"I have one captain and then a group of four players, where there is no second, third and fourth, it's just a group of four that I trust a lot and are very good and take a lot of responsibility."

Brittain is one of those four players.

And Hellberg was delighted with the way the full-back responded to being given the responsibility against QPR.

"Britts is one of them and he did absolutely brilliant today," he said.

"That's what it's about, how can you make people grow from it."

Brittain takes his chance

The decision gave Brittain an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership qualities after more than a year at Middlesbrough.

He made the most of it.

Alongside wearing the armband, Brittain played a direct role in the decisive moment by setting up Lankshear's winning goal.

For Hellberg, that is precisely what his leadership structure is designed to encourage.

Rather than establishing a rigid hierarchy of vice-captains, the Middlesbrough manager has created a group of players who can share responsibility and step forward when needed.

Hellberg keeps the other names secret

While Hellberg confirmed Brittain's place in his leadership group, he was less willing to reveal the identities of the other three players.

That leaves an intriguing question surrounding who else sits alongside Brittain in the manager's trusted group.

When pressed on the other members, Hellberg refused to give the game away.

"I'm not saying, you have to have some cliffhangers right!" he said.

The comments ensure that Ayling's position remains clear while leaving supporters guessing over the rest of Hellberg's leadership group.

What happens next?

For now, Ayling remains Middlesbrough's established captain, but Brittain's performance against QPR has demonstrated that Hellberg has alternatives he is prepared to trust.

The decision also gives the Boro boss greater flexibility throughout the season, with his four-man leadership group able to take on responsibility when Ayling is rested or unavailable.

And after Brittain combined the armband with an assist in Middlesbrough's first league away win of the campaign, Hellberg's decision has already paid off.