Wes Morgan accepts leadership of Boyz

TORONTO, Canada:

Wes Morgan doesn?t brag about being a leader.

He hardly even accepts he?s one ? not with public words, anyway.

?I wouldn?t say I?m a natural leader at all,? said the Reggae Boyz central defender, shrugging his 6?1? 200 pound-plus frame, while here for Jamaica?s friendly international against Canada last evening.

Yet Morgan?s actions and imposing presence ? physically and vocally ? on and off the football field makes the point.

Teammates take their cue. None of it is forced.

?I think it?s in my character and my play, anyway,? Morgan explained. ?I try to lead and dictate and control things on the pitch.

?... Regardless, I?ll just be doing my job, which is to make sure everybody else is doing their job. Obviously, my job dictates that I communicate and control the people around me.?

Still, the Leicester City captain, tapped to wear the armband against Canada in the absence of Rudolph Austin, slips easily into the role as a front man for Jamaica, despite having less than 10 internationals under his belt. Already, his commitment has left a mark.

true professional

?Wes Morgan is our heart,? said head coach Winfried Schäfer hours before the kick off against Canada. ?A true professional. Strong character.?

According to Schäfer, Morgan listens well and carries out instructions on the field. Off it, he follows proper protocol. After nearly 480 games in the English leagues, which includes leading Leicester City to the premiership this season, the player acknowledges it?s second nature to embrace the life of a professional.

?It?s just part and parcel of what I do,? he said. ?... Coming into the Jamaica team, I act no different.?

What Morgan provides Jamaica is instant credibility, especially in defence. His trademark timely interceptions, power in the air and crunching tackles gets the attention of the world?s best players every week.

Morgan strives for consistency, even when dealing with the multiple personalities that make up the national squad.

?Each game is different, and each situation warrants it?s own approach,? said the 30-year-old who was born in Nottingham, England. ?I turn up. Obviously, I?m representing Jamaica and I?ve got a job to do. I try to do that to the best of my ability.?

Jamaica?s immediate future success will rely heavily on Morgan, especially with tournaments like the Caribbean Cup and Gold Cup looming. The disappointment of missing the 2014 World Cup finals still lingers. However, the Boyz? ability, Morgan stresses, is unquestionable.

?Jamaican players are some good, talented players,? he explained. ?It?s just, obviously, the experience and learning to play with each other.?

Morgan understands that, unless his form drops dramatically, he may have another World Cup shot in 2018.

?It?s just to get that chance,? he said. ?... I believe that if everything?s right and we?re supported in the right way, this could happen.?

Morgan?s plan is to make sure it does.