Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
KEEP CALM,
Maguire says even the world’s greatest Ronaldo gets stick so he’ll just ignore the critics and bounce back in his own way
HE is no longer a team-mate and, at times, it did not seem as though Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo had the most dynamic relationship.
But as Maguire prepares to win his 50th England cap in the clash with the United States, the Manchester United captain explained how the experiences of Ronaldo have helped him through the difficult times with his club.
If the Greatest Of All Time can get flak, then criticism should not be a problem for me, suggests Maguire.
“I’ve played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years and in my opinion he’s one of the greatest players to ever kick a football,” said Maguire.
“He gets criticised day in and day out, so if it’s going to happen to him, and with the position I’m in at Manchester United, it’s going to be part and parcel of the game.
“I’m the captain of Manchester United. But he’s the greatest player, for me, to ever kick a ball and gets criticised daily, so it’s going to happen to each and every one of us.
“You’ve just got to work hard, go into training. That’s what I always tell myself.”
And as Ronaldo was becoming the first player to score in five World Cups, Maguire, 29, was explaining how he has put in extra work to make up for his lack of game-time with United and how his light club workload means he is raring to go.
He explained: “I have great belief in myself. I went into the Euros on the back of an eight to 10-week injury so I wasn’t too worried about the lack of game time before this,
“Obviously, I want to be playing every week for my club and I’m going to fight to get back into the team.
“It’s not what or where I wanted to be but I feel fresh and I’ve worked hard to make sure I’m ready whenever I get the opportunity to play.
“I knew the World Cup was coming up so I put in some extra shifts in training.”
A relatively late developer, there should be no underplaying Maguire’s achievement in reaching half a century of appearances. And he is justifiably proud, saying: “I had great belief considering what I’ve done during the 49 caps I have played for England.
“I’ve earned the trust to be in the squad. My 50th cap will be very special for myself and my family.
“I have had a lot of highlights – reaching a World Cup semi-final and a Euro final, and scoring in the quarter-final of each, I have had some great memories along my six-year career with England.
“And now, we want to go one step further than we did in the Euros.”
Maguire had to leave the pitch halfway through the second half of the 6-2 thrashing of Iran, but he had no lasting after-effects of the illness that forced him off.
He said: “I was disappointed to have to come off but I’ve done all the tests and after appropriate action, I have felt well since.
“I’ve been on the training pitch these last couple of days and I feel really good. I feel ready to go.”
Ready to go and reach a welcome milestone in a difficult season for one of Southgate’s trusted lieutenants.