Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher is confident Colin Montgomerie will be picked by Nick Faldo for this summer's contest against the United States.
Gallacher believes his fellow Scot's second-place finish at the French Open showed the 45-year-old warrants a place in Europe's line-up for the match at Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky, in September.
Montgomerie climbed back into the world's top 100 at 77th thanks to his performance at the Paris course, and delivered a performance which will have reminded captain Faldo of his ability.
Gallacher had Montgomerie in his teams in 1991, 1993 and 1995, and cannot see Faldo omitting the Scot, even if he requires a wild card.
Gallacher does not expect Montgomerie to regain the consistency which made him Europe's leading player in the 1990s, however he insists his compatriot still has the right hunger for the game.
"He'll have good weeks like this week was a great week when he almost won, and I expect that to happen between now and the Ryder Cup," Gallacher told BBC Scotland.
"It wouldn't surprise me if he wins a tournament.
"That'll be good enough, I think, to get in the Ryder Cup team.
"We need him to be in the Ryder Cup team.
"Nick Faldo needs Colin Montgomerie in that side because he's going to have a lot of new players and we need his experience."
With Montgomerie closing in on the top 10, Gallacher can only see him strengthening his claims for a place in the team.
"He's not going to be far enough away not to be picked now," said Gallacher.
"He has shot up to 14th now in the list and I think anywhere in the top 25 would get him in the team anyway, Nick would pick him."
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