Sam Torrance has joined Bernard Gallacher in saying that Nick Faldo was wrong to voice displeasure with Colin Montgomerie.

Ryder Cup captain Faldo commented this week that Montgomerie's absence from three team meetings at the recent Seve Trophy in Ireland was "disappointing" and added: "Monty's a tough one. He was the only one whose emotions I had to deal with.

"He had to be teased out on to the 18th green to support his team. The bottom line was he hadn't won a point."

Torrance, who led Europe to victory at The Belfry in 2002, said: "If it is even remotely suggesting that Colin is not a team man it's outrageous. He gives his best — he was a great team man. I don't think you can criticise your players in public. You have to keep a nice bit of decorum. I am sure he (Faldo) will have learnt from this."

And on whether United States captain Paul Azinger will be pleased by what is happening on this side of the Atlantic he added: "It's always nice when you see the opposing team in a bit of turmoil, but there is a long way to go and it will all be smoothed out."

Gallacher, captain from 1991-95, also believes that with Montgomerie a possible member of next year's side against the Americans Faldo should have kept his thoughts to himself and "saved them for his memoirs".

He added "I never felt Nick was a real team player, but I accepted it as a captain because he gave you points. He wasn't a player like Seve (Ballesteros) who used to rule the team meetings, be out on course rooting for the players and would play with anybody the captain wanted him to play with.

"Nick always wanted to play with the best player."

Earlier this week Montgomerie stated that if he failed to make the side he was willing to help them "in any shape or form.

"If asked it will be an honour to help the cause."

That, however, was before the 44-year-old Scot, who could be named Faldo's successor as captain, knew what Faldo had said about him.

Speaking up for Faldo today was Dane Thomas Bjorn, who despite his row with Ian Woosnam before last year's match has just taken over as chairman of the European Tour's tournament committee which nominates each captain.

"I'll support Nick all the way — he's the captain, he's going to make the decisions, like it or not," said Bjorn at the Madrid Open. We're not going to remove him as captain, so that's the way it's going to be."

"Monty and Faldo have done things their way in their whole career and they will sort it out in their way. They are winners, both of them, and I'm sure Nick will win the way he wants to win. He's always done it that way."