Maguire can handle ‘pressure’ from mocking rival fans

England’s striker Callum Wilson (L), England’s striker Harry Kane (C) and England’s defender Harry Maguire applauds the fans following during the international friendly football match between Scotland and England, at Hampden Park in Glasgow, on September 12, 2023. – The match is also the 150th Anniversary Heritage football match, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first meeting between the two teams, on 30 November 1872. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

Harry Maguire said he can cope with the pressure of being in the spotlight for club and country after England manager Gareth Southgate condemned the “ridiculous treatment” meted out to the defender.

The Manchester United centre-back won his 59th cap as a substitute in England’s 3-1 friendly win in Glasgow on Tuesday, but his performance was marred by an own goal.

Maguire was sarcastically cheered by Scotland fans every time he touched the ball.

“It’s a joke,” said Southgate. “I’ve never known a player treated the way he is — not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is.”

The 30-year-old has struggled for playing time at United under Erik ten Hag but has remained a regular for England, who have reached the latter stages at the past three major tournaments.

“I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally,” said Maguire, who laughed off the Scotland fans’ behaviour as “banter”.

“I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years (Bruno Fernandes is the new skipper).

“You take a huge lot of responsibility and everything that comes with it and that is a lot of bad as well as good.

“But it was a huge honour and of course it is a hostile environment here, which is