During England’s 3-1 win in Scotland, Harry Maguire is jeered by opposing fans for almost every contact with the ball. National coach Gareth Southgate locates the problem at home and condemns the “ridiculous treatment” of his defender.
“I’ve never seen a player treated like he was,” an incensed Southgate said after the game at Hampden Park on Tuesday night. Maguire had come on as a substitute for the stricken Marc Guehi after the break.
The Scottish fans consistently jeered the 30-year-old in the aftermath, sarcastically cheering every successful pass from the centre-back. It didn’t help matters that Maguire scored an own goal in his 59th international appearance when he deflected the ball into his own net from Andy Robertson’s cross.
Southgate was visibly upset after his side’s 3-1 win, in which Harry Kane scored the final goal after a pass from Jude Bellingham. “From the Scottish fans’ point of view, I understand. I’m not complaining about what they did at all,” said Southgate, who also explicitly did not refer his criticism to his own supporters. “But it’s a consequence of how ridiculously he’s been treated over a long period of time. It’s a joke. Not by the Scottish fans, but by our commentators, pundits or whatever they are. They have created something that surpasses anything I have experienced so far.”
At his club Manchester United, Maguire is going through a tough time. He was stripped of the captain’s armband at the start of the season and a summer switch (West Ham United were in talks) did not materialise. Maguire made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, which was also cheered by the opposing fans.
Maguire was still called up to the “Three Lions” by Southgate. “In the second most successful England team in decades, he was an absolute cornerstone for us,” the 53-year-old insisted. “The resilience he shows every time he goes on the pitch is incredible. He’s a top player and we all support him. “