Such a decision could leave him ineligible for the biennial competition, but Harrington was quick to play down any concerns over the four-time major champion's commitment to the cause.

"I can only look at his actions. That man loves the Ryder Cup. He's become a leader in the team room," said Harrington.

"He gives so much to the Ryder Cup; the Ryder Cup gives so much back to Rory that he can't get anywhere else.

"He gets the glory, the opportunity to be loved on the golf course. He gets the exuberance, the crowd.

"You don't get that day in, day out. You don't get that regularly. His actions are all about the Ryder Cup.

"He will be 100 percent behind and in that Ryder Cup team, there's no doubt about it. You just have to know the man behind the scenes."

McIlroy now lives in America and has made no bones about the fact that he considers the European Tour a stepping stone to bigger things.

But players must be a member of the European Tour to take part in the Ryder Cup.

Regulations introduced in January 2017 clearly state that a player "cannot be a European Ryder Cup captain or a vice-captain if they decline membership of the European Tour or fail to fulfil their minimum event obligation in any season, from 2018 onwards."

READ: McIlroy giving up European Tour membership in 2019

McIlroy is obligated to play four European Tour tournaments outside the majors and World Golf Championship events in order to retain membership, but currently only has two on his schedule.

"I know there are words there, but the actions nowhere near match up. He is as European as they come. Yes, he's moved to the States. His family's there." Harrington added.

"He wants to win the Masters and those words are coming out but his actions are not that way at all. His actions are so European."