England boss Gareth Southgate has hit out at the unnecessary backlash surrounding Harry Maguire.
Despite being one of the key leaders in the Three Lions squad, the defender continues to be the target of intense scrutiny.
Maguire has maintained his spot in the England starting XI even after losing his place with Manchester United and being removed as club captain and that decision by Southgate continues to be questioned.
Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori are options that Southgate could easily turn to as able alternatives but the England boss has chosen to stick with the Manchester United man.
Lewis Dunk started alongside Guehi during England’s 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday, with Maguire coming on for the latter at half-time.
The United defender went on to score an own goal under unfortunate circumstances when trying to clear Andy Robertson’s cross before Harry Kane put England two-up again after a goal late on.
Maguire was then subject of ridicule by the Scotland fans, sparking Southgate into a roaring defence of the player.
Southgate defends under-fire Harry Maguire
Speaking after the game, Southgate said: “From a Scotland fans’ point of view I get it, I have no absolutely no complaints of what they did,” he said.
“It is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly, and I think our fans recognised, ‘ok there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we are not going to have it from others getting into him.’ But it is a joke.
“I have never known a player to be treated the way he is, not from the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is, they have created something that is beyond anything I have ever seen.
“He has been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful English team for decades, he has been an absolutely key part of that. I have talked about the importance of our senior players, he has been crucial amongst that and every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible, so he is a top player and we are all with him.”
“Our fans were brilliant with him tonight. I feel fairly strongly about it yes.”
“He is good, he is great, we have had a good win and he was a big part of that. He has fronted up as he always does which is enormous credit to his character.”
