Harry Maguire praises David Beckham for 'classy' show of support after Hampden Park ordeal

Harry Maguire said a surprise call from former footballer David Beckham three weeks ago was "classy" and "touching," with Beckham offering kind words of commiseration for the beleaguered Manchester United and England defender.

The 30-year-old Maguire has been the target of brutal abuse from angry fans, an experience Beckham knows all too well after his infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup made him perhaps the most hated man in England - the nadir of his mostly illustrious career and a main storyline of his candid Netflix documentary "Beckham".

Beckham reached out after England's 3-1 win over Scotland on 12 September, when the toxic jeering by Scottish fans had both Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate and Maguire's mother Zoe lashing out in anger.

"(Beckham's call) meant everything," Maguire told reporters on Tuesday after England's training at St. George's Park.

"I've spoken throughout my career about David Beckham being someone I looked up to and watched when I was a young boy. He was a big role model when I was growing up.

"It shows how classy he is to reach out to me. It was something I really appreciate. It was touching really."

Maguire, who has 59 caps for England, scored an own goal in the Scotland game in an otherwise solid game and is on Southgate's squad for Friday's friendly against Australia and Tuesday's European Championship qualifier versus Italy at London's Wembley Stadium.

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In the four-part Beckham documentary, the former Man United cornerstone and wife Victoria