Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has defended Harry Maguire’s England selections since that was one was of the main talking points during the international break.
Gareth Southgate rightly called out people for the pile on that exists around Maguire because he’s usually been a top performer for England, regardless of what has happened with him at Manchester United. We can all accept that it is unlikely that he will get back into the starting eleven at Old Trafford unless they is a flurry of defensive injuries.
However, Maguire came off the bench to score an own goal at Hampden Park, which was the only blip in a decent 3-1 win for England over Scotland as the Three Lions look to strengthen their hold on Euro 2024 qualification.
Two goals from Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham secured the win for England, but it was Maguire’s own goal that made it 2-1 with over 30 minutes left to play. The 29-year-old defender was jeered by Scotland fans after coming on the pitch, which I guess is just normal formal culture.
But let’s not forget that England fans at Wembley have been guilty of it too. We all know how fickle they are.
Ramsdale spoke to Standard Sport after the win over Scotland and stressed is it unwarranted to focus on Maguire’s own goal.
“Harry has had criticism for the past 18 months to two years,” Ramsdale said. “His performances for England have been outstanding, that’s why he keeps getting picked.
“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 he played well. Kept the ball for us but one unfortunate own goal and people are going to start talking about him and I don’t think it’s needed.
“He talks you through the game, I remember that from my first cap. It was San Marino and we won 10-0 but he talked me through the whole game, calmed me down at times and he did the same last night.
“So it’s a real dream to play with him and it’s just an unfortunate goal that people are going to highlight and it doesn’t need to be that way.”
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