Ian Woosnam believes Thomas Bjorn's criticism of his captaincy will make Europe's team stronger as they attempt to retain the trophy at the K Club.

Bjorn labelled Woosnam's captaincy as "pathetic" after he was overlooked for one of the two wild cards, Woosnam preferring Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.

"It will make us stronger," Woosnam insisted. "It will make Lee more determined and Darren more determined. They're all professionals and once we get to the Ryder Cup, these things
will be put to bed."

Bjorn has since apologised and been fined by the European Tour for his outburst, but his remarks led to questions being raised about Woosnam's perceived lack of communication with the players and his handling of the media.

Woosnam accepts he did not come across well in his press conference on Sunday evening and added on Sky Sports News: "I knew when I was standing there I was very nervous and I might not have come over very well.

"Deep down I was upset because I had to leave someone out and I knew it was going to hurt Thomas and I knew I was going to get some criticism.

"He has his right to say what he did about why he missed it. But it's a pity he had to do it like that. But he's apologised and the next thing we've got to do is get on, get back to Ireland and win the trophy."

Bjorn felt he should have been selected ahead of Westwood after performing better than the Englishman during the qualifying period, although Westwood can point to collecting four and a half points in the record victory at Oakland Hills two years ago.

"I don't think I have to justify my position to anybody," Woosnam added. "There's 10 spots that are automatic and they were filled and I have to make the next two choices.

"I could have gone from the next person down to 50th in the Order of Merit. But I made my choices and that's the privilege the captain gets. It was a difficult decision but there were a lot of people in the frame. And I went with Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood."