Rodgers claims Man Utd fans are to blame for “disgraceful” Maguire treatment
Brendan Rodgers has slammed Manchester United fans for creating the "noise" that has led to the hostile treatment Harry Maguire has received in recent years.
Maguire has faced increasing criticism for his performances for United and for England, with the centre-back scoring an own-goal against Scotland on Tuesday. The United star was loudly jeered by the home crowd at Hampden Park after coming on at half-time.
That led to a furious blast from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate about the level of criticism Maguire has faced. Following those comments from Southgate, Maguire's mother released her own treatment on the situation, labelling her son's treatment as "disgraceful".
Maguire's former manager at Leicester, Rodgers, has now also leapt to the centre-half's defence. The Celtic boss took aim at United fans for the atmosphere they have created around the England international.
"I know Harry well having worked with him and I find it a real shame if I'm honest. He's a good guy, he's obviously a top class player and the focus and noise that's been around him sadly has probably been created more by his own club's supporters and that's spilled out into other supporters," Rodgers said.
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"I was at the game the other night - this is a guy who was in the team of the last World Cup - so he's not that bad a player! I know having worked with him - if you need someone by your side when it's tough, it's him.
"He's a great man he's very honest to the game, I know why Gareth picks him, he's been fantastic for England, a real soldier and a real leader to the young players. He's tough, mentally strong.
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Brendan Rodgers has hit out at critics of his former player Harry Maguire (GETTY)"He'll prove throughout the rest of his career that he's a very good player. As I say, you don't go from being in the team of the World Cup to being so he's been recognised as a top international player, to people making fun of you."
Maguire has been criticised by some for turning down a move to West Ham in the summer. But Rodgers has backed his decision to instead fight for his place at Old Trafford.
"It tells you everything about his mentality and his depth of strength. There may come a point that he decides he isn't getting the game time he wants, and he needs to move on to play regularly, and if he does that he'll prove to be a very, very good player," Rodgers added.
"But he won't shirk the challenge, that's for sure. He's very proud to represent Man Utd. The summer that he left when I was at Leicester there were other clubs that wanted to sign him but that whole pre-season, he was totally committed to Leicester and his team-mates.
"It was only once toward the very end when he moved that I looked back and I thought his behaviour was absolutely exceptional throughout the whole period. He'll continue to fight there.
"His behaviour as a man and his conduct - he's a great fellow and a fantastic player, and hopefully he gets the chance to show that for Manchester United. If not, and it's too late for that, then he'll go and show it somewhere else."
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