European Ryder Cup Paul McGinley is facing not only a possible Scottish spectator backlash but also being at odds with the world’s top ranked player should he not select Stephen Gallacher as a ‘wildcard’ pick.

The mood here in the Home of Golf is that Scottish fans will be ready to lynch McGinley should he not hand Gallacher his first team cap.

This is after Gallo made the effort to travel from Prague to Turin but then go within one stroke of qualifying automatically at Sunday’s Italian Open deciding thriller.

It had been a ‘Player Power’ push led by McIlroy that saw McGinley appointed as European Team captain in January 2013 and it’s McIlroy now leading the call for McGinley to hand Gallacher a pick.

Bernie talking with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley during the 2014 PGA Championship but will the Scottish fans be as approached if Stephen Gallacher doesn’t get a Gleneagles wildcard pick.(Photo – Eion Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

And before heading out into the final round of yesterday’s (MON) concluding Deutsche Bank Championship McIlroy, and Europe’s streets ahead qualifier, the four-time Major winner delivered McGinley the worth of having Gallacher in the team.

McIlroy said:  “Stephen deserved a pick even before what happen in Italy as he’s just played well the past couple of years.

“He’s won before at Gleneagles.  He’s showed form this year in winning back-to-back in Dubai.

“Even though he fell a shot short in Turin, he still shot a 65 and he showed more than enough heart over there in Italy to be on a European Team.

“So I would like to see him on the team and whether that makes a difference I don’t know but I think I share the views of a lot of those already on the side.

“Besides being a Scot, playing on home soil and with all the Scottish supporters he can expect enormous support and that has to be huge advantage to the team.”

Ultra-talented Russell Knox, and the only Scot competing in Boston, probably summed up the current mood in Scotland.

He said:  “If McGinley doesn’t pick Gallacher I can’t see him being a well-liked European Team captain.

Stephen Gallacher now has World No. 1 Rory McIlroy on his side as he waits to see if he’s done enough for a ‘wildcard’ pick.

“Even if Stevie had of played horrendous in Italy he’s still worth a pick.

“Of course, I’m not saying that just because Stevie’s Scottish born and the Ryder Cup happens to be in Scotland, but he’s clearly shown throughout the year how consistent he is and that has to be of value in a Ryder Cup team.

“Also he made the effort to travel back to Europe and qualify but then fall short by a single stroke but that’s the sort of commitment a Ryder Cup captain should be seeking.

“So the Scottish fans will give McGinley huge strife if Stevie’s not in the side.”

Graeme McDowell, and the player who eventually grabbed the ninth and final automatic spot, also has gone into bat for Gallacher.

He said:  “To me, Stephen is somebody who would bring a lot to a Ryder Cup team.  He’s a big hitter, he’s upbeat and a positive personality.

Rory McIlroy now leading a ‘Player Drive’ to get Stephen Gallacher into the Ryder Cup team. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“As far as being a rookie, he wouldn’t be a problem.

“So if I was Captain Paul McGinley, I’d be thinking long and hard about putting him on the team as he would bring a lot to the dynamic of the side.

“Paul has three picks, but as we have been joking all year the team will be made up of nine automatics, two picks and Ian Poulter.

“Seriously, though, when it comes to the selection tomorrow it’s a case of whether Paul wants to go with experience or form.

“It is a big ask to pick someone to play his first Ryder Cup, so it will be very interesting.”

However in saying that two years ago Jose Maria Olazabal picked rookie Nicolas Colsaerts while Monty chose Edoardo Molinari in 2010 and Luke Donald, who has now played in four winning European Teams, was a rookie in being picked in 2004.

As well, Scot Andrew Coltart, who has finished two spots outside the automatics got Mark James’ vote in 1999.

McGinley will announce his three picks at 12.30pm UK time Tuesday from Tour HQ at Wentworth while rival captain Tom Watson will be in New York City to name his three pick at 7pm US Eastern time (12 midnight UK time).