Europe Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley insists his team should be proud that they’ve been made the favourites for this year’s upcoming contest at Gleneagles.

McGinley’s team will look to defend their crown when the tournament gets underway later this month.

Europe, 1.52 to win the Ryder Cup, have won five of the last six events, including the amazing come-from-behind success at Medinah just two years ago.

With the likes of Rory McIlroy playing at the top of his game, Europe have been made favourites for the tournament and McGinley is happy to have the pressure on his team.

He told Sky Sports: “I think we are going to be just slight favourites but that is something we should embrace and be proud of.

“I had lunch with John Jacobs, forefather of the European Tour, last month and there was tears in his eyes when he talks about how far we, and the European Tour, have come in Ryder Cups in terms of going into matches now as favourites.

“The strength we have in the European Tour is something we should be proud of. We have the No 1 player in the world, the most exciting prospect in the game in Rory McIlroy.

“Martin Kaymer won the US Open, Justin Rose last year and on and on and on in terms of performances – all something we should be proud of.

“But it (being favourite) is not something we are going to worry about – we’re embracing it and enjoying it that we have come so far to be favourites going in against the might of the Americans.”