England head coach Gareth Southgate has strongly criticized the treatment of defender Harry Maguire by sections of the media and supporters.
Maguire, who plays for Manchester United, came on as a substitute during England’s 3-1 win over Scotland and scored an own goal during the match. He was jeered by some Scotland fans at Hampden Park but cheered by England supporters at the end of the game.
Southgate expressed his frustration at the criticism directed towards Maguire, stating, “It’s a joke. I’ve never known a player treated like he is, not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
He emphasized Maguire’s contributions to the England team, highlighting his resilience and leadership on the field. Maguire has been a key part of the England squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of the 2020 European Championship.
Southgate also acknowledged that the negative reaction towards Maguire was fueled by some media coverage and comments, describing it as “ridiculous treatment” and “created by our own side.”
Maguire’s club career at Manchester United has been challenging recently, including losing the club captaincy over the summer. Despite this, he has remained a fixture in the England squad.
Southgate praised England’s fans for supporting Harry Maguire during the Scotland match and stressed the importance of protecting their own players. He called the criticism of Maguire “a joke” and emphasized the need to show appreciation for his contributions to the national team.
Harry Maguire has earned 59 caps for England and has been a respected figure within the squad, and Southgate’s comments reflect his strong defense of his player in the face of criticism.
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