Harry Maguire showed his mental toughness.
Maguire played a friendly for his country at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on Wednesday (July 13). After starting the last match against Ukraine, he started on the bench today, behind Mark Gehi and Louis Dunk.
Maguire took to the turf at the start of the second half, replacing Gehi, and was responsible for an unfortunate own goal in the 22nd minute after England had taken a 2-0 lead. Andrew Robertson mis-handled a ball from just outside the right side of the penalty box, and it slipped between the keeper and the post.
The Scottish fans taunted Maguire. They clapped every time he held the ball and passed it, treating him as if he were a Scottish player.
Gareth Southgate said the accusations against Maguire were “the result of a long period of taunting”. Maguire has been criticized by fans for his rapid decline in form at Manchester United in the 2021-2022 season. He was completely overshadowed by the combination of Rafael Varane and Lysandro Martinez last season under Eric Mourinho, and hasn’t started a league game in four this season. 스포츠토토
But Maguire was determined. He said that by taking the boos from his teammates on his own, he allowed England’s players to perform at their best. “I took the pressure off my teammates and put everything on myself. It definitely makes them play better,” he said, adding that he didn’t seem to mind.
That’s not surprising, given the unfriendly perception Scotland has of England. “It’s a hostile environment in Scotland,” Maguire said. We knew the Scottish fans were going to do that, and for most of the second half they were pointing those arrows at me. I’m glad I was able to do that. I don’t have to worry about anything.”
As for the rest of the team, he said he was sad not to be starting at the moment, but was confident that his chance would come with a tight schedule over the next few weeks.