Sandy Lyle would not be surprised if Colin Montgomerie was invited back to captain the 2014 European Ryder Cup.
Montgomerie was expected to lead the side in the tournament at his local course but following Europe's failure in Valhalla in 2008 the European Tour Committee turned to the Scot for the 2010 event at Celtic Manor.
Having guided Europe to a memorable win at the Welsh venue Montgomerie said that he would never again captain the side, but Lyle believes he is the obvious choice to take over from Jose Maria Olazabal in 2014.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Colin gets invited back. He knows the course, the surrounding area, what's needed there and what's not needed," Lyle told Reuters.
"I think he would be the man to choose unless someone like Darren Clarke or Paul McGinley feels he is next in line."
Montgomerie always hinted that he would be keen to captain Europe at Gleneagles and despite vowing to only lead the side once, Lyle believes he could be persuaded to return.
"Several years will have passed by then, a lot of water will have passed under the bridge since Monty took charge in Wales and he may have a change of heart," Lyle went on.
"He may feel that is a moment in his life when he can still do the Ryder Cup. If he's not doing that well with his own golf game he might feel he would like to be captain again.
"I would not put it pass the European Tour to invite him again."
Lyle has never captained the European Ryder Cup team and after being overlooked in favour of Montgomerie it has been suggested that his time has passed.
Indeed, with the likes of McGinley and Clarke in the frame to succeed Olazabal, Lyle believes he will never get the chance to skipper Europe.
"I think the captaincy is dead and gone for me. Jose Maria will be in charge in 2012 and by the time of Gleneagles I will be around 55-56," the two-time major winner said.
"Unless the European Tour have a change of heart I won't be pushing myself one little bit. I'm not even thinking about it."