Steven Gerrard insists being made England captain remains the ultimate honour for any player and rubbished talk from other nations that too much attention is paid to the role in this country.
Gerrard will lead England in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand in tomorrow's friendly international with Egypt at Wembley - the last one before Fabio Capello names his provisional squad for the World Cup.
The Liverpool midfielder dreamed of skippering England when he was a youngster and the sacking of John Terry and Ferdinand's current back problem has handed him an opportunity to wear the armband.
Gerrard said: "When we joined up, and Fabio told me I was captain, I was delighted. I am looking forward to leading the boys out on Wednesday.
"I don't think we make too much of it. Being captain of England is a very proud feeling and every kid dreams of being captain. I was no different.
"I don't really care what other countries think about the England captain.
"I am told some countries give the captaincy to the oldest player. I think that is disrespecting the captaincy.
"You've got to earn the right to be captain - and being England captain is a massive honour."
Capello had decided to clamp down on the amount of time the players and their families will be able to mix together at the World Cup after the WAG culture in Germany in 2006.
But Gerrard has already taken the decision for his family not to join up with him until at least the semi-finals in South Africa - should England progress that far.
He said: "I don't know whether having the WAGS, as people called them, over there in Germany last time affected our performance. I can't tell you that.
"But my wife won't be there this summer. My wife won't be there unless we get to the semi-finals or the final.
"It is my decision. The two kids will be in school and it (South Africa) is a long way away. If we get to the semis, she deserves to come and see me."
Gerrard confirmed that Capello had reiterated the need for players to conduct themselves in the right way on and off the pitch during yesterday's training session.
The Italian is keen to avoid a repeat of the headlines over the alleged off-the-field activities of the likes of Terry and Ashley Cole in recent months.
Gerrard said: "We understand the importance of standards and the manager let us know that again yesterday. We understand the responsibilities. We are role models to kids.
"The manager addressed the situation as soon as he saw us on the training pitch. The message was short and sweet - he told us to focus on the football.
"We've got a big game in a couple of days, and a massive tournament coming up, and he reiterated we've got responsibilities as players on and off the pitch.
"We are in the spotlight. Sometimes it is difficult but we have got to behave on and off the pitch. Everyone is aware of it.
"The World Cup is close, it will be here before we know it, and we know the spotlight will be on us even more because of what has happened recently but we have to accept that and deal with it."
The Liverpool midfielder dreamed of skippering England when he was a youngster and the sacking of John Terry and Ferdinand's current back problem has handed him an opportunity to wear the armband.
Gerrard said: "When we joined up, and Fabio told me I was captain, I was delighted. I am looking forward to leading the boys out on Wednesday.
"I don't think we make too much of it. Being captain of England is a very proud feeling and every kid dreams of being captain. I was no different.
"I don't really care what other countries think about the England captain.
"I am told some countries give the captaincy to the oldest player. I think that is disrespecting the captaincy.
"You've got to earn the right to be captain - and being England captain is a massive honour."
Capello had decided to clamp down on the amount of time the players and their families will be able to mix together at the World Cup after the WAG culture in Germany in 2006.
But Gerrard has already taken the decision for his family not to join up with him until at least the semi-finals in South Africa - should England progress that far.
He said: "I don't know whether having the WAGS, as people called them, over there in Germany last time affected our performance. I can't tell you that.
"But my wife won't be there this summer. My wife won't be there unless we get to the semi-finals or the final.
"It is my decision. The two kids will be in school and it (South Africa) is a long way away. If we get to the semis, she deserves to come and see me."
Gerrard confirmed that Capello had reiterated the need for players to conduct themselves in the right way on and off the pitch during yesterday's training session.
The Italian is keen to avoid a repeat of the headlines over the alleged off-the-field activities of the likes of Terry and Ashley Cole in recent months.
Gerrard said: "We understand the importance of standards and the manager let us know that again yesterday. We understand the responsibilities. We are role models to kids.
"The manager addressed the situation as soon as he saw us on the training pitch. The message was short and sweet - he told us to focus on the football.
"We've got a big game in a couple of days, and a massive tournament coming up, and he reiterated we've got responsibilities as players on and off the pitch.
"We are in the spotlight. Sometimes it is difficult but we have got to behave on and off the pitch. Everyone is aware of it.
"The World Cup is close, it will be here before we know it, and we know the spotlight will be on us even more because of what has happened recently but we have to accept that and deal with it."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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