England boss Gareth Southgate is angry over Harry Maguire’s treatment. The 53-year-old has hit out at the ‘idiotic’ treatment of the defender over his continued inclusion in the national team.

Southgate slammed the ‘ridiculous’ criticism as the worst he has ever seen.

Maguire started in England’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday despite enjoying no game time at his club. The 30-year-old defender also came on at half-time in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Scotland. He has however endured only one substitute appearance for Manchester United so far this season.

He was given a very rough time by the home fans at Hampden Park when he was introduced. The centre-back was criticized despite playing well in his time on the pitch. He was mocked mercilessly for netting an unfortunate own goal.

Southgate did not begrudge Scotland’s supporters for trying to get under Maguire’s skin – but slammed the way the defender has been ridiculed and criticised by pundits, the media, and even his own supporters.

A visibly-livid Southgate told beIN Sports after the match: ‘He was exceptional for us at the weekend. The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment.

‘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.’

Southgate continued his defence of Maguire during his post-match press conference, adding: ‘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.

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‘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.’

On how Maguire has reacted, Southgate added: ‘He’s good, he’s great. We’ve had a good win, he’s been a big part of that. So 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, and again enormous credit to his character.’