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Danny Wilson has been made captain of Hearts just a few days after signing for the administration-hit club.

"It's a big responsibility for him," manager Gary Locke told the

"But he has all the right credentials as far as I am concerned. He is a winner, commands respect in the dressing room and knows the club.

"It was a tough decision as the more experienced players have all made huge sacrifices over the summer."

The 21-year-old Scotland defender was on loan at Tynecastle from Liverpool last season and had agreed a three-year deal with the Edinburgh club before they went into administration.

A transfer embargo imposed on Hearts for an insolvency event placed the signing in jeopardy.

However, the defender was able to complete the switch, after agreeing a pay cut, since he was registered as a Hearts player at the time of entering administration.

"He has made the same sacrifices as Jamie Hamill, Ryan Stevenson and Jamie MacDonald and I feel he is the right man for the job," added Locke.

"Hopefully, he can be the leader of a successful team this season."

Wilson, capped five times, joined Liverpool for £2m in July 2010 after breaking into the Rangers first-team at the end of the previous season.

But he made only nine appearances for the Anfield club.

"It is obviously a real honour to captain a club of this stature and I was delighted to accept the offer," Wilson told the Hearts website.

"Heart of Midlothian Football Club is a footballing institution and it is a real privilege to be given this responsibility.

"The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in giving me the armband and I'll do everything I can to repay him.

"The whole squad is desperate to do well for the manager. This has been a really tough time for him but we are all right behind him.

"There is no doubt the season coming up is going to be a difficult one but we are ready for the challenge.

"The situation we are in has brought the squad even closer together and we can't wait to get started."