Gareth Southgate has labelled criticism of Harry Maguire as a “a joke” and claimed the “ridiculous treatment” of the Manchester United defender is “beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

Maguire got here on for the second half of Tuesday’s 3-1 friendly win over Scotland at Hampden Park and was jeered all through by the house supporters.

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England had been main 2-0 by way of strikes from Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham earlier than Maguire scored a 67th-minute personal purpose to immediate additional ironic cheers.

Harry Kane settled the competition together with his 59th worldwide purpose 9 minutes from time as England supporters continued to chant Maguire’s title in response to sustained abuse.

Maguire was additionally cheered by Arsenal followers when showing as an alternative to Manchester United at Emirates Stadium earlier this month and Southgate believes the negativity is the product of unfair protection.

“From a Scotland fan’s point of view, I get it and I have absolutely no complaints with what they did,” started Southgate. “It is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly. I think our fans recognised ‘OK, 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 is a joke. I’ve by no means identified a participant handled like he’s, not by the Scottish followers however by our personal commentators, pundits no matter it’s. They’ve created one thing past something I’ve ever seen. He’s been an absolute stalwart within the second most profitable England group in a long time.

“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. He’s a top player, we are all with him and our fans were brilliant with him tonight.”

He added to beIN Sports: “The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment.”

Asked how Maguire was, Southgate continued: “He’s good, he’s great. We’ve had a good win. He’s been a big part of that. He’s gone and spoken with the media because that’s the sort of lad he is. He’s fronted up as he always does. Enormous credit to his character.”