Harry Maguire abuse impact clear as Aaron Ramsdale rallies behind England star
Aaron Ramsdale has praised Harry Maguire's "outstanding" England form in the face of criticism both before and after the defender's own goal against Scotland.
Maguire sent the ball beyond Ramsdale midway through the second half after stretching in an effort to cut out Andy Robertson's cross. The goal gave Scotland hope of a result at Hampden Park, cutting the deficit to 2-1, but England eventually added a third to make sure of victory..
Man United defender Maguire has lost the captaincy and his starting spot at club level, but featured in both of England's games during the September international break. Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate launched a passionate defence of the 30-year-old amid vocal criticism from sections of the crowd, and now Ramsdale has become the latest to give the centre-back his support.
“Harry Maguire has had criticism for the past 18 months, two years,” Ramsdale told PA. “It hasn’t affected him. “His performances for England have been nigh on outstanding, that’s why he keeps getting picked and played. Simple as that. I don’t think a few whistles and groans from the fans are going to change his mindset.
“He had 45 minutes in a game where I thought he played well, kept the ball for us and one unfortunate own goal, if you want to call it that, and people are going to start talking about him and I don’t think it’s needed.”
Full list of Premier League's biggest transfers as Enzo Fernandez smashes record
Should Harry Maguire start for England in their next game? Have your say in the comments section
Harry Maguire scored an own goal as England beat Scotland (David Young/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)Maguire had played just 23 minutes of competitive football before the international break, with those coming when he replaced the injured Lisandro Martinez in Man Utd's league defeat at Arsenal. The former Leicester man played the full 90 minutes against Ukraine on Saturday, partnering Marc Guehi in his first start of the season, while he and Guehi were given 45 minutes each in Scotland.
A pair of first-half goals put England in control in Tuesday's friendly, with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham hitting the target. Harry Kane scored England's third, after more good work from Bellingham, and Ramsdale praised Maguire's contribution either side of the unfortunate own goal
“People will say he’s come on and scored an own goal, but if he has any doubt in his mind, I want my defender to try to clear it,” the Arsenal man added. "It’s a cross-shot, he’s tried to deal with it and eight times out of 10 it goes behind for a corner or he clears it. Every time he touched the ball the crowd got up and made noises and he dealt with it extremely well, played some lovely passes. I thought he accompanied Lewis (Dunk) and rest of the back four really well. Yeah, I’d want him to do that again 10 times over.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
