Gold Coast coach Neil Henry believes Greg Bird's strength of character will ensure there is no fallout from the Titans overlooking him as captain.
Bird has been linked to the Sydney Roosters after Nathan Friend and William Zillman surprisingly received the co-captaincy at the NRL club this week.
Gold Coast have dismissed rumours that Bird or his management have requested an early release, saying NSW Origin star is contracted to the Titans for the next two seasons.
Henry backed Bird to rise above the disappointment of being overlooked for the captaincy.
"He is disappointed because he is a proud man but he's a realist and he's a competitor," Henry told AAP.
"Once he walks over that sideline he is competing.
"He's got that strength of character to get on with the job - he's a professional."
Bird was stripped of the Gold Coast co-captaincy after an off-field incident in December 2014.
But he still appeared to be the leading candidate to take over from Nate Myles, who has left for Manly.
Bird was quickly linked to the Roosters after being brushed for skipper in a report that claimed the Tricolours wanted him as cover for injured forwards Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Bird told reporters this week before the captaincy announcement that he had not thought beyond the next two seasons with the Titans.
"I have got another two years. Like every 33-year-old footballer I will see how the body is feeling (when considering future)," he said.
"I can't tell you how I am going to be in two years' time.
"I am pretty settled in up here."
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