WENTWORTH (England) (AFP) Colin Montgomerie believes Europe will go into the Ryder Cup with the strongest squad the continent has ever assembled, both on and off the course. Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Paul McGinley were on Tuesday unveiled as Montgomeries vice-captains for the clash at the Celtic Manor Resort in October as Europe try to regain the trophy after their defeat to the United States in Valhalla in 2008. The popular trio, who boast 10 Ryder Cup appearances between them, have vast experience of winning the event and Montgomerie reckons they have the ideal qualities to help get Europe back to winning ways. The Ryder Cup is about passion, commitment and will to win and all three men I have named possess these qualities in abundance, the Scot told a press conference here at the European Tours headquarters in Wentworth. "They have all been part of successful European Ryder Cup teams in the past and know the players who will be part of the team." We all have huge respect from the players and respect in the team room and on the course is vital. I think this is the strongest team we have ever assembled, on and off the course. Its a fabulous time for European golf. Montgomerie has an embarrassment of riches as he prepares to finalise his 12-man team for the October 1-3 match, with Europes players shining on both sides of the Atlantic in recent months. There is a gathering sense that the balance of power is shifting towards Europe. Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell won the US Open, while Europeans filled the many of the leading positions at last weeks Open Championship at St Andrews, although the tournament was won by a South African, Louis Oosthuizen. Montgomerie also looks to have a close-knit backroom staff, with all three vice-captains popular men with strong Ryder Cup records. Northern Irishman Clarke played in five consecutive Ryder Cups, between 1997 and 2006, when he was on the winning side on four occasions. Bjorn, of Denmark, was part of winning teams as a player in 1997 and 2002 and was Bernhard Langers assistant at the 2004 Ryder Cup that Europe won at Oakland Hills, Michigan.