The Man United defender scored an own goal in England's' 3-1 victory against their nearest rivals in 2023
17:16, 13 Aug 2025
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has revealed that getting ironically taunted by Scotland fans while playing at Hampden for England ranks as the 'toughest moment' of his career so far.
The Manchester United defender was going through a tricky spell on the pitch when Gareth Southgate's men rolled into town in September 2023 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first game between the two old enemies.
The Three Lions ran out 3-1 winners, extending their unbeaten record against the Scots having last tasted defeat against them in a Euro 2000 qualifier at Wembley in 1999.
The big centre back's performances were the source of constant negativity, with Maguire's own mother coming out publicly to call to an end to the scrutiny.
And after appearing as a half-time for England in Glasgow's south-east side, Maguire was mocked by the home supporters, who ironically jeered every pass from the former Leicester and Hull City man.
Within 21 minutes of his arrival, Maguire had turned the ball into his own net from Andy Robertson's cross to give Scotland a lifeline before Harry Kane rounded off the scoring.
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Looking back on the incident, the 32-year-old - who had been stripped of the captaincy at Old Trafford earlier that year - reckons the abuse went too far.
Speaking to Man United legend Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, he said: "The toughest moment personally was probably when I got jeered at Scotland away playing for England.
Harry Maguire looks dejected after scoring an own goal at Hampden(Image: PA)
"I'd had an amazing career for England, and then coming on the pitch there, (the jeers) came from their fans.
"They would probably say it was a bit of banter, but it got to a stage where I think people had realised that it had gone past the mark of banter.
"That was the moment that really turned and I had a lot of help around me then. I had a lot of people reach out to message me (including) ex-players, I am really appreciative of that."
In the wake of the Three Lions' win at Hampden, Maguire had brushed off the taunts by saying he could take the banter from the Tartan Army.
"It is a little bit of banter and it is a hostile environment, coming away to Scotland", he stated.
"We knew coming here, when you hear the national anthem and the way they disrespect that, we knew it would be hostile and in the second half I got most of it.
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"I am happy to go with that, don't worry about that."