Lasley will start his 12th campaign for the Well – spanning two different spells between 1999-2004 and 2000 to the present – when the new term kicks off and McCall has no doubt that he is the ideal man to follow in Craigan's respected footsteps.
He said: "Keith Lasley will be our captain next season and I couldn't think of a better pro to wear the armband for our club. He is quite simply a model professional and a player and a man who is respected throughout the club.
"Obviously he captained the side on quite a few occasions last season when Craggs was injured or not in the starting line-up and he always provided us with a calm and assured presence on the field of play."
McCall went on: "If anything, at 32 he seems to have got better with age and he has plenty of gas left in the tank. The other thing I would say is that we have a huge season ahead, particularly at the start of the campaign with the Champions League qualifiers.
"Leadership in Europe, given we have a young side, will be vital and Keith will supply it in abundance.
"While he may be among the senior pros at the club, Las is also the fittest player in our squad and that shows you just what a dedicated professional he is. The armband is recognition of all of that."
The Well boss has been delighted with the first three days of his squad's Algarve training camp, with triple training sessions the order of the day as the Steelmen look to give themselves a high level of fitness as a solid foundation.
McCall is also running the rule over centre-back trialists Simon Ramsden and Birmingham kid Fraser Kerr.
He said: "I know Simon well from Bradford and he is a versatile defender.
"Fraser Kerr is a 19-year-old we have taken from Birmingham to have a look at and he has also shown up well so far."
Tickets for Well's Champions League home qualifier have gone on sale to Well Society members and season ticket holders.
Despite not yet knowing their opponents, a general sale will commence on Saturday, with briefs priced at £30 for an adult, £20 concession, and £15 for juveniles.
The tie will be played on either July 31/August 1, or August 7/8.
