‘Cowardly’ Gareth Southgate KNOWS the real source of Harry Maguire’s scapegoating is Man United fans… and he’s made it WORSE for the under-fire £80m defender by attacking ‘faceless pundits’, says Simon Jordan

• Harry Maguire scored an unfortunate own goal as England beat Scotland 3-1
• Southgate had slammed pundits post-match ‘attacks’ faced by Maguire
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Simon Jordan claims Gareth Southgate has made the scapegoating of Harry Maguire worse by attacking ‘faceless pundits, rather than the England manager blaming fans for the scrutiny on the under-fire defender.

The Three Lions boss had issued a passionate defence of Maguire after the Manchester United defender’s own goal in England’s 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday.

Southgate blasted criticism the £80m defender has suffered from pundits as being an ‘absolute joke’.

‘He was exceptional for us at the weekend [in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine]. The reaction tonight is a consequence of idiots really from our side who have created that environment,’ Southgate said in a beIN Sports post-match.

‘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.

Harry Maguire scored an own goal and was targeted by the Scotland fans during Tuesday night’s friendly win for England – but was robustly defended by Gareth Southgate

Southgate hit out at pundits for over criticism of Maguire following the match against Scotland

Simon Jordan claimed Southgate was ‘slightly cowardly’ for not calling out supporters

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‘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.’

Jordan, speaking on talkSPORT’s White & Jordan show, questioned Southgate’s decision to address the situation surrounding Maguire publicly.

He insisted that Maguire had been the victim of ‘destructive, constant ridiculing and parodying’, but claimed the blame should be pointed at Man United and England fans rather than pundits.

‘I’m not quite sure why Gareth felt the need to address it yesterday, because the more you address it, the more you amplify it as people will be defiant. I don’t understand where he is going with that,’ Jordan said.

‘You can turn around and diminish the argument by not having it and not giving it the credence, at the end of the day destructive voices in the background will only become louder and more vociferous if you amplify it.

‘There is an element of vitriol to Southgate in that mix as well. If there was a complete and utter buy in to Southgate this would be less of an issue as well.

‘Gareth aiming barbs at people who are faceless and can’t name, suggesting pundits and commentators are the reason for this is slightly cowardly, because he knows it is the fans.

‘He knows ultimately it is the Man United fans who started this wildfire, the England fans have jumped on it and the Scotland fans think it is funny to do it in this particular game.

‘The reality is he goes for a soft target and blames the media.’

Maguire had been targeted by Scotland fans with the abuse worsening after his own goal

Jordan suggested Man United fans had created the ‘wildfire’ that is surrounding Maguire

Jordan added that he stood by his previous comments that Maguire is a ‘mediocre centre half’ and believes the 30-year-old needs to accept his Man United career is now over.

The Mail Sport columnist claimed that Maguire needs to ‘change the direction of travel and people’s perceptions’ by moving on from Man United to play elsewhere.

Southgate’s comments had followed Scotland’s supporters heckling Maguire’s every touch after he was introduced for Marc Guehi at half-time and the abuse only worsened after his 67th minute own goal.

James Maddison hailed Maguire’s ‘big balls’ in an Instagram post after the defender maintained his composure once an unfortunate deflection past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had left him at the mercy of a partisan home crowd.

Southgate had added:  ‘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. 

‘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.

Maguire’s presence in the England team has been questioned due to his lack of game time

James Maddison praised Maguire’s ‘big balls’ in an Instagram post after England’s 3-1 win

Maguire remains a regular starter for England despite barely seeing any action at United. 

The 30-year-old had the captaincy removed by Erik ten Hag ahead of this season and has so far played just 23 minutes of Premier League action. 

But he started Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying, continuing his run of England starts, and came off the bench in Glasgow after goals by Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham put the visitors in control.

England players came over to show their appreciation after the win over Scotland, with Maguire making a point of acknowledging the support.

Maguire put out his own Instagram post that read: ‘Enjoyable camp with the lads – always a pleasure representing my country.’

He then wrote ‘Everywhere they goooo’ in reference to the England fans’ popular chant ‘Scotland get battered, everywhere they go.’

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