Colin Montgomerie is gearing up to make a spectacular return to the Ryder Cup arena to be named 2014 Gleneagles captain at next Tuesday’s committee vote in Abu Dhabi.

There was no hiding Monty’s joy on the eve of the Volvo Champions event in Durban at the thought of being asked to again lead Europe and this time virtually in his own Perthshire backyard.

The Tournament Players Committee will meet in the UAE capital to appoint a successor to Medinah miracle worker, Jose Maria Olazabal.

Thomas Bjorn, as committee chairman, revealed the candidates for the role are Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke.

Colin Montgomerie gearing up to be a surprise choice next Tuesday as 2014 European Ryder Cup captain. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

And despite triple Major winning Padraig Harrington saying Monty would be ‘mad’ to risk his superb Ryder Cup career on losing to Tom Watson’s team, Monty will hear none of it.

He said:  “As I’ve said before and if asked at the meeting next Tuesday to do the job again I would accept. Of course, I would.”

“I can understand certain players like Padraig were they are coming from because in life if I was asked and if I didn’t accept people would think there must be a reason why a player doesn’t accept and that’s he doesn’t want to be seen as a loser.

“Well, the word loser is a word in my career that I have never ever thought about.

“So I am excited and honoured and very flattered really that my name’s been put in the frame and that possibly I’ll be nominated.

“I’ve never canvassed, as I didn’t last time. I’ve not spoken to anybody about this.

“Darren Clarke has made comments regarding matching Tom Watson with a similar like European presence and this meeting will surely contain thbue words ‘Tom Watson’ in discussion whereas I don’t think at the last two Corey Pavin and Davis Love were mentioned.

“Darren seems to think we need to change things. We will see.  I am just a voice on the committee and I will say my bit accordingly.

“I’ve always said that we need the best man for the job, whoever that is.”

If the role has to go to a vote Bjorn as chairman abstains and it could mean McGinley, Clarke and Monty asked to leave the room next Tuesday leaving eight players to vote on Olazabal’s replacement.

Bjorn said: “I know how important our meeting next week will be not only for the Tour and the media but all the people in Scotland particularly.

“So if we discuss the captaincy and we come to an agreement we will have to announce that night.

“But as a committee voting for a new European captain I don’t see we don’t have to react to Tom Watson being appointed US captain as Europe’s record in past years is pretty impressive.”

Monty is among four Scots in the limited 33-player no-cut field and joined by Paul Lawrie, Richie Ramsay and recent Nelson Mandela Championship winner, Scott Jamieson.

And Monty’s staring a milestone in his career as he turns 50 days before making his Seniors debut in the Senior British Open at Royal Birkdale as well as becoming eligible to compete on the lucrative US Champions Tour.

He said:  “It is going to be a very interesting year as I turn 50 halfway through 2013 so from having one tour to play on at the start of the year I will have three tours to play on in the middle of the year.

“My seniors debut will be at Royal Birkdale so hopefully I can also for Muirfield as to tee up in both The Open and the Senior Open as that would be wonderful and I look forward to it.

“I have the Hall of Fame induction in May, as well.   It’s nice also be inducted while I am still living and not posthumously (laughing) like a good many others who have already been inducted.”