Harry Maguire insists he can deal with criticism of his performances and says he is ‘happy’ that the added scrutiny on him takes pressure away from his teammates.
Gareth Southgate this week hit out at the treatment of Maguire in recent seasons, after the defender was mocked following his own goal in England’s 3-1 win over Scotland.
The centre-back has been a regular target for critics in recent campaigns and lost his place as Manchester United captain during the summer.
Southgate slammed the treatment of the 30-year-old in the media, but Maguire insists he can handle the pressure and believes being a target enables his England teammates to play with less pressure.
“I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally,” he said, as per Sky Sports.
“I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years. You take a huge amount of responsibility and everything that comes with it, and that is a lot of bad as well as good.
“I would not say I am used to it, but I can deal with it. It pretty much takes the pressure away from my team-mates and puts it all on myself. It makes them play better, for sure. It is a little bit of banter and it is a hostile environment, coming away to Scotland.
“We have given them a goal, which is unfortunate. We knew it would be hostile and in the second half, I got most of it. I am happy to go with that, don’t worry about that.”
