Scotland has welcomed the appointment of Paul McGinley as the European team Captain for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and congratulated him on joining an elite list of golfers to hold the position.

McGinley was voted in as captain of the team following a meeting of the Players’ Tournament Committee in Abu Dhabi and he will now be charged with the task of defending the trophy won in such dramatic circumstances at Medinah last September.

Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, said: “I’m sure the whole of Scotland will join me in welcoming Paul McGinley and congratulating him on his appointment as captain of the European team for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

“Paul is a model professional and has always been held in extremely high regard by the Scottish golfing public and he can be sure the whole country will be behind him and his team come September 2014.

“Of course, he already has a place in Ryder Cup history thanks to his winning putt at The Belfry in 2002 and we are all hoping he adds another incredible chapter to that history when the Ryder Cup visits the Home of Golf in less than two years time.”

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, added: “I’m sure Paul will prove to be a very popular captain with players and fans alike and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Scotland on his no doubt numerous visits between now and September 2014.

“There is no doubt that 2014 is a massive year for golf in Scotland as we prepare to welcome the world and if Paul and his team can pull off a Ryder Cup victory in the Home of Golf it will be all the sweeter. He can certainly rely on the backing of Scotland.”