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Gareth Southgate says he has never seen a player treated like Harry Maguire as the furious England manager labelled the unrelenting criticism of him \u201cridiculous\u201d and \u201ca joke\u201d.<\/p>\n
Little more than two years on from being named in the European Championship team of the tournament, the 30-year-old is now the butt of jokes to many.<\/p>\n
Maguire\u2019s struggle for form and game-time at Manchester United have increased the spotlight on a player that has remained an integral part of Southgate\u2019s England squad.<\/p>\n
The centre-back made his first start of the season in Saturday\u2019s 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw against Ukraine and was mocked mercilessly when brought on at half-time against Scotland three days later.<\/p>\n
Maguire went on to score an unfortunate own goal but enjoyed the last laugh at Hampden Park as the Auld Enemy ran out 3-1 victors \u2013 something the travelling hordes were quick to celebrate with the under-fire defender.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFrom a Scotland fan\u2019s point of view, I get it and I have absolutely no complaints with what they did,\u201d the England boss said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think our fans recognised \u2018OK, there might be a bit of heat from our own supporters but we\u2019re not going to have it from others getting into him\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s a joke. I\u2019ve never known a player treated the way he is \u2013 not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve created something that\u2019s beyond anything I\u2019ve ever seen.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team for decades. He\u2019s been an absolutely key part of that.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve talked about the importance of our senior players. He\u2019s been crucial amongst that.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time he goes on the field, the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a top player and we\u2019re all with him and our fans were brilliant with him tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
England fans chanted his name throughout the second half, including bellowing out \u2018Harry Maguire, he\u2019s winning 3-1\u2019 after Harry Kane added to Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham\u2019s first half goals.<\/p>\n
Asked how he is after the so-called friendly, Southgate said of Maguire: \u201cHe\u2019s good, he\u2019s great. We\u2019ve had a good win, he\u2019s been a big part of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s gone and spoken with the media because that\u2019s the sort of lad he is.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s fronted up as he always does, so again enormous credit to his character.\u201d<\/p>\n
Southgate said the own goal was \u201cjust unfortunate\u201d on a night when Bellingham shone and England produced an impressive performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally pleased with the performance,\u201d Southgate said after the 116th meeting of international football\u2019s oldest foes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to give a performance that was controlled with the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew that would be the best way of trying to quieten the crowd, which was a fantastic atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we showed great composure, we had good control of possession deeper and we had a real threat with our runs in behind and our forward running and forward passing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team worked incredibly hard without the ball because Scotland\u2019s system can cause you a lot of problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I was so happy with all of the starting XI, all of the subs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve done a fantastic job and in the end, a really strong performance with an excellent result.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Bellingham, the England boss added: \u201cWe want all our players to have that freedom and, contrary to what people seem to think most of the time, I think they do have that.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight, different system they were playing against, different areas where the spaces were open.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhat was key for Jude, the timing of his forward runs. You know, he\u2019s got that ability to slip through challenges and he\u2019s just a brilliant competitor.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not concerned about the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n