Europe captain Paul McGinley believes next year’s Ryder Cup will be a heavyweight contest which will again be decided by the narrowest of margins.

The Europeans have won seven of the last nine biennial contests, including the “Miracle of Medinah” comeback from 10-6 down last year, causing the PGA of America to ask Tom Watson to reprise his role as captain at The Belfry in 1993, the last time the US tasted success on European soil.

But although McGinley accepts Watson’s assertion that the home side will be favourites at Gleneagles, he is not expecting a repeat of the record nine-point wins he was part of as a player in 2004 and 2006.

“The margin between the two teams is so slight. It has been for a number of years,” said McGinley, who was a vice-captain to Jose Maria Olazabal at Medinah.

“And Lady Luck, I can tell you right now, has shone on us at the right times in the last two Ryder Cups, there’s been no doubt about it and we have been fortunate to come out on the right side.

“I’m well aware that the margin between the two teams is very slight and I think it’s going to be a very closely fought contest — and that’s what makes the Ryder Cup so special and that’s why everybody has such an interest.

“We know it’s going to be in boxing terms a heavyweight contest from toe-to-toe, from start to finish.”

Watson wants his players to hold onto their feelings of depression from Medinah and use it as motivation, while he also wants to see Tiger Woods continue to play a leadership role.

“He became very much a part of the team last year and we need him to be a leader. There’s not a question about that,” Watson said of the world number one, who has played on just one winning team from seven appearances and claimed only half a point from four matches at Medinah.