Gareth Southgate unloads on critics over Harry Maguire's treatment - An impassioned defense that demands justice

Gareth Southgate passionately defended Harry Maguire following the mocking of his passes by Scotland fans during the match. The England manager strongly criticized their behavior, referring to it as a "joke" and labeling the treatment as "ridiculous". Despite starting on the bench, Maguire came on during half-time due to Marc Guehi's injury and faced ironic cheers from the Scottish supporters for his every pass. Unfortunately, the England defender ended up scoring an own-goal despite his team's remarkable triumph.

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He faced a similar situation to when he played for Manchester United against Arsenal, where Arsenal fans warmly cheered his arrival on the pitch. Southgate expressed his disapproval of the harsh treatment the Manchester United player received, without holding back.

He stated, "I understand the perspective of Scotland's fans, and I have no objections to their actions. It is a result of the unfair treatment he has endured for a prolonged period.

"Our supporters acknowledged that our own fans might criticize him, but we will not tolerate outsiders attacking him. It is ridiculous. I have never witnessed a player being treated this way, not only by Scottish fans but also by commentators, pundits, and others. They have manufactured a situation that exceeds anything I have ever witnessed. He has been a consistent and vital member of the highly successful England team for several decades.

"He has played a vital role in that. I have emphasized the significance of the senior players, and he holds a critical position in that group. Whenever he takes the field, the determination and bravery he displays are truly remarkable. He is an exceptional player. We wholeheartedly support him. I am deeply passionate about it.

"He is talented, he is outstanding. He has greatly contributed to that victory. He has interacted with the media because that is the kind of person he is. He has confronted the situation as he consistently does."

Clarke: Sometimes you have to take your medicine

In his post-match assessment, Scotland manager Steve Clarke vowed they would learn from the defeat.

"I have a few things I want to observe this evening before our trip to Spain next month for the upcoming competitive game. I will take some time to analyze the match and identify areas for improvement.

While there were some positive aspects, there are certain areas that require improvement, and that is our responsibility."

The primary focus of this camp was to secure three points in Cyprus, and we successfully achieved that objective.

We were well aware that facing England would pose challenges, and playing against Spain on their home turf would also be tough. However, if we aspire to grow as a team, it is crucial to confront high-quality opponents. Therefore, we must take this opportunity to analyze our performance, extract valuable lessons, and strive for improvement in the times ahead.

"We have achieved five victories and accumulated 15 points in the competitive games. I conveyed to the team that this camp has been successful. Although it would have been preferable to finish with a positive outcome against England, we have accomplished our initial objectives.

It was our intention not to be defeated by our arch-rivals, but on this particular evening, England were the superior team. In football, there are occasions when one must accept defeat gracefully. Tonight, we will accept the outcome and focus on enhancing our performance."

What's next?

England, on the other hand, will be engaging in a friendly match against Australia at Wembley on October 13. Following this, their next Euro 2024 qualifier will be held on Tuesday, October 17, where they will face Italy.