Montgomerie finished second in Paris at the weekend

Former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher believes Colin Montgomerie is almost certain to be included in Nick Faldo's European team.

The Scot's second place at the French Open lifts the 45-year-old to 14th on the European Tour Order of Merit.

And Gallacher told BBC Sport: "I think anywhere in the top 25 would get him in. It's difficult to see him being outside 20 in the worst scenario.

"Nick will have a lot of young guys and we need Colin's experience."

Of the 10 players currently occupying the qualifying spots, only Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Sergio Garcia have made two or more appearances in the biennial competition.

Montgomerie is bidding to play in his ninth Ryder Cup when Faldo's European team visit Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, in September.

I'd be amazed if Monty wasn't in the team come September 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie

But the man with eight Order of Merit triumphs to his name has seen his form dip this season and had dropped out of the top 100 in the world rankings before the US Open.

"Monty is at the stage of his career where we shouldn't expect him to play well every week," added Gallacher, who captained Europe in 1991, '93 and '95.

"He'd be the first person to say 'I'm not good enough', if he was languishing at 30th or 40th on the money list.

"But he'll have good weeks and I expect that will be good enough to get him in the team."

Montgomerie, who has never lost a Ryder Cup singles match, has contributed 23.5 points in his eight outings, only 1.5 points behind the all-time record held by Faldo.

"He rises to the occasion," said Gallacher. "Colin enjoys the passion involved and the camaraderie of the week."

606: DEBATE Would Monty make your Ryder Cup team?

Paul Lawrie is also backing his fellow Scot to be involved at Valhalla.

"I'd be amazed if he wasn't in the team come September," said the 1999 Open champion.

"He will be doing everything to make it and I'm sure Nick Faldo would like him there.

"The French Open is a big event. I'm sure he would have liked to win, but second was a good result.

"If he manages another two or three top threes and doesn't qualify, I think Faldo would be mad not to pick him."