Gareth Southgate has launched a robust defence of England’s ‘tower of strength’ Harry Maguire and blasted the pundit criticism he has suffered as ‘an absolute joke’.
Maguire’s England team-mates also rallied round the Manchester United man after his own goal gifted Scotland a route back into Tuesday night’s friendly at Hampden Park.
James Maddison hailed Maguire’s ‘big balls’ in an Instagram post after the defender maintained his composure once an unfortunate deflection past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had left him at the mercy of a partisan home crowd.
Scotland’s supporters heckled Maguire’s every touch after he was introduced for Marc Guehi at half-time and the abuse only worsened after his 67th-minute calamity.
But after Harry Kane sealed a 3-1 England win, Maguire was serenaded by the travelling fans and then backed by Southgate.
Harry Maguire scored an own goal and was targeted by the Scotland fans during Tuesday night’s friendly win for England – but was robustly defended by Gareth Southgate
The Manchester United centre-back came on at half-time and scored an unfortunate own goal
Gareth Southgate described Maguire as a ‘tower of strength’ for England after the match
James Maddison praised Maguire’s ‘big balls’ in an Instagram post after England’s 3-1 win
Southgate was visibly angry when he spoke about Maguire on beIN Sports post-match and took aim at pundits who have criticised the defender.
‘He was exceptional for us at the weekend [in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine]. The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment,’ the England manager said.
‘So what I think was brilliant tonight was our fans who were here recognised that they’re going to protect their own. We should be doing that.
‘We’re creating a problem for our own player. Some of the articles that were written, some of the comments that were made, were an absolute joke.
‘He’s been a tower of strength for us through one of the most successful periods of English football and the response tonight – I understand Scottish fans, they’re having some fun – but it’s created by our own side, it’s ridiculous.’
Continuing his stout defence of Maguire in the post-match press conference, Southgate added: ‘From a Scotland fans’ point of view I get it and I’ve got absolutely no complaints with what they did.
‘It’s a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly. I think our fans recognised, ‘Okay, there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we’re not going to have it from others getting into him’. But it’s a joke.
Maguire (right) showed his appreciation to the travelling England fans who backed him
The Manchester United defender gets a handshake from Harry Kane after England’s 3-1 win
‘I’ve never known a player treated the way he is. Not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is.
‘They’ve created something that’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen. He’s been an absolute stalwart for us in the second-most successful England team for decades. He’s been an absolutely key part of that.
‘I’ve talked about the importance of our senior players, he’s been crucial amongst that. Every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows, is absolutely incredible. So he’s a top player and we’re all with him. And our fans were brilliant with him tonight.’
Maguire remains a regular starter for England despite barely seeing any action at United.
England’s support serenaded Maguire at the final whistle following his difficult evening
Jude Bellingham was England’s star of the show against their old rivals at Hampden Park
England captain Harry Kane (second from right) sealed victory with a third strike late on
The 30-year-old had the captaincy removed by Erik ten Hag ahead of this season and has so far played just 23 minutes of Premier League action.
But he started Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying, continuing his run of England starts, and came off the bench in Glasgow after goals by Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham put the visitors in control.
Maguire’s own goal gave a second-best Scotland hope but Kane sealed victory late on.
The travelling England fans responded to the Scotland fans’ targeting of Maguire’s every touch by cheering his contributions and singing his name.
This continued after the final whistle when the England players came over to show their appreciation, with Maguire making a point of acknowledging the support.
Maguire put out his own Instagram post that read: ‘Enjoyable camp with the lads – always a pleasure representing my country.’
He then wrote ‘Everywhere they goooo’ in reference to the England fans’ popular chant ‘Scotland get battered, everywhere they go.’
