With battle about to begin, it's Fergie time . . .

In Andy Murray's glory year at Wimbledon in 2013, Fergie had a natter with the tennis player and was also in his box when the Scot won the US Open in 2012. Murray talks of the "gold dust" spread by the 72-year-old who has almost 40 years of managerial success to mine.

Paul McGinley, the captain of the European team, had spoken of a secret weapon earlier in the week but the surprise was rather compromised by the sight of Ferguson wandering over the Gleneagles turf yesterday afternoon.

The golfer met the manager at the JP McManus pro-am in Ireland about 15 years ago and when McGinley was made captain he immediately asked Ferguson for some input. "Of course, he was more than willing to help," said McGinley yesterday. I'm a West Ham fan but I have always loved the way his teams played. I have met him a number of times over the past few months. The more I have met him, the more there was a natural fit."

McGinley said Ferguson was "a big fan of golf and knows Rory [McIlroy] very well". However, he pointed out that not everybody in his team was a Manchester United fan "so that should be a bit of fun".

He added: "This is not him being a headmaster and coming in and preaching. This is about fun."

It is a theory taken up by Donald MacNaughton, the high performance coach who works on the mindset of a variety of clients ranging across football, rugby and motorsport. "It is obvious that Fergie would have something of value and substance to say but he will also be listened to," he said.

"In these informal briefings, he does not have to waste time giving his credentials. These are multi-millionaire achievers but they will listen to Ferguson."

MacNaughton pointed out that the golfers only meet occasionally in team situations. "Ferguson has decades of working in that environment and he knows what players under stress need and want. He knows there has to be an element of relaxation before the big event."

The elite sportsman only needs a minute edge to turn defeat into a victory and Ferguson can supply that, suggests MacNaughton, whose Talent Unlimited programme has been used by high-profile individuals. "Ferguson's message comes undiluted by any concerns about his abilities or whether he knows what he is talking about.

"That is a given. Ferguson, too, will be well versed on what we call peripheral interference.

"The small details on the fringe that have to be blocked out so focus can be achieved."

Kris Dunn, the lead psychologist for golf at sportscotland, said Ferguson's major input would be to accentuate the "team image" that had been created by Europe. "He is expert at taking a group of multi-millionaires and making them successful. He knows, too, the values of team sports and the dynamics.

"This is about players buying into something bigger than themselves. There is something almost transcendental about that."

Asked for the advice she would give a player heading for the Ryder Cup for the first time, she said: "They should use the experience of the other players and see how that relates to themselves."

Experience was certainly on offer last night as Ferguson has four decades of management and the recent involvement with Murray.

The Dunblane player, who was first introduced to Ferguson after Murray's defeat in the Wimbledon final of 2012 to Roger Federer, had formed such a bond with the former football manager that he had him in the players' box when he won the US Open just months later.

Ferguson also came into the locker room after Murray had beaten Fernando Verdasco in five sets at Wimbledon 2013. Murray later spoke of the meeting that preceded his defeat of Jerzy Janowicz in the semi-final and Novak Djokovic in the final. "He was more just giving me some advice on how to handle certain pressures and expectations, those sort of things, getting that sort of advice from someone like him is gold dust so I'm not going to be sharing too much of it," said Murray.

Last night at the Gleneagles Hotel, Ferguson gave a team talk that would address the interests and concerns of players. McGinley conceded it would be a conversation rather than a lecture, with players being encouraged to give their input.

The captain of Europe also emphasised that it was not unusual for inspirational speakers to address the team, pointing out that Gareth Edwards, the legendary scrum-half, had spoken at Celtic Manor in 2010, and Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager and now Bayern Munich coach, talked to the players at Medinah.

The football theme was extended when McGinley expanded on his plan for his players to walk down the tunnel at Gleneagles that leads to the first tee. He said: "We want to bring it to life," he said. "It will be a bit like gladiators walking into the arena as you walk up that hill coming out the tunnel. The crowd will then get a glimpse of them and it should be an electric atmosphere."

McGinley would not be drawn into a contest with his opposing captain, Tom Watson. The American has said he wants to target both McIlroy and Ian Poulter but the Irishman was mystified at how this could be achieved. "I do not know what he means by that," he said simply. "I'm not targeting anyone on the American team."

Poulter, of course, comes into the team as the hero of Medinah but his recent form is unconvincing. McGinley, though, emphasised that the Englishman was the sort of character who finds that "extra element" when he arrives at the Ryder Cup.

This could apply to the European team over the years. The sides always come in with commentators saying that the result is too close to call, yet Europe has the upper hand.

Why has Europe won seven out of the past nine contests?

McGinley chuckled before answering. "There's a number of reasons and obviously I cannot go into those. I have views. I am not privy to what goes on in the American team room. I am only privy to what goes on in the European team room."

There was a suspicion that McGinley believes there is a special ingredient in the Europe side and it may just be teamwork and passion. It is epitomised by Poulter.

It would have been interesting to watch his inter-action with Ferguson last night. Mr Poulter is an Arsenal fan.