ANDREW Coltart today urged Scottish hopefuls to step up their bids to qualify for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Because he reckons having a home player in the European team in Perthshire will be "like a 15th club in the bag".

Stephen Gallacher has a great chance of making Paul McGinley's side for the biennial contest in September.

The 39-year-old is currently sitting 11th in the European points list and 13th in the World points list.

The Bathgate man, who successfully defended the Dubai Desert Classic in January, can secure his spot with a strong finish to the season.

Elsewhere, Paul Lawrie, who helped Europe triumph at Medinah two years ago, has not given up hope of being involved despite disappointing form.

Coltart, who played in the Ryder Cup at Brookline back in 1999, is hoping that one - or more - of his compatriots makes it into the team. For he believes it would help to fire up the Scottish galleries and give Europe an edge in the hotly-anticipated showdown with the United States.

"It would be great for the crowd," said Coltart at Royal Aberdeen, where he is working for Sky Sports at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

"If Stephen Gallacher or Paul Lawrie, or even Russell Knox or Martin Laird, were to get into the European team, it would be like a 15th club in the bag.

"There will still be an incredible reception for Europe from all the European fans no matter who makes the team to play the Americans.

"But if we get the Scotsman in there it will stir the emotions even further. It would be fantastic and it would definitely be an added bonus for Europe."

Coltart certainly believes Gallacher has both the golf game and the mental strength needed to handle the intense pressure of the Ryder Cup.

Former European captain Tony Jacklin caused controversy at the BMW Championship in May when he branded the player "feeble-minded".

The West Lothian golfer reacted brilliantly to that astonishing slight at Wentworth - by recording a six-under-par 66 to finish in a tie for fifth.

Coltart would have no fears about his countryman's mettle if he was in the line-up to face Tom Watson's side at the PGA Centenary Course later this year.

HE said: "I think Gallacher has a chance at the minute. He has played well. As far as I am concerned, he is proving himself to be more and more a big tournament player.

"I loved his response, with his clubs, to Tony Jacklin's comments down at the PGA Championship. It would have been very easy for him to go the other way, but he shot 66. It was fantastic.

"He is making huge inroads in a great direction. He is easily capable of doing well in big events. On that basis, I think he has got a really good chance.

"As I see him moving up a level when it comes to big tournaments I don't see him putting pressure on himself. And that is the one thing he has got to look out for."

Coltart feels doing well in the Scottish Open this week and The Open at Royal Liverpool next week would go a long way towards securing a spot.

He said: "This spell of the season is huge for guys looking to get into the Ryder Cup. There is big money, which equates to points, up for grabs.

"There is huge media coverage which, potentially, could sway it for you if it comes down to a pick. These are big events and you are up against the Americans. It would be great for the Scottish guys to find a bit of form."

COLTART is close friends with European captain McGinley and is confident that, no matter who is in his side, he has all the qualities to engineer a victory.

He said: "I have known Paul for years. He is very meticulous and very astute. He will have everything set up to give Europe their best chance.

"Paul and Tom Watson are obviously different in terms of their achievements in golf. McGinley has been a very, very good golfer, but he hasn't won a Major.

"But, as you see in football, great managers don't necessarily have to have been great players. Paul is a superb man-manager. He has proved that in the Seve Trophy, in the Royal Trophy and in his vice-captaincy roles with Europe in the Ryder Cup.

"I think the vice-captaincy roles he has had in Ryder Cups will be very important at Gleneagles. He has played quite a big part behind the scenes. He will know exactly what to expect."