DANNY MILLS believes that "vicious" Roy Keane comments are partly to blame for fans booing Harry Maguire.
The Manchester United skipper was jeered by England supporters as he lined up in the Three Lions' 3-0 victory over Ivory Coast this week.
Maguire's team-mates were left baffled by the defender's treatment, while boss Gareth Southgate labelled the boo boys "an absolute joke".
Attempting to shed some light on why Maguire was heckled, Mills pointed the finger in Keane's direction.
The former England right-back told talkSPORT: "Roy Keane has massive influence, unbelievable.
"Roy Keane says it, it's gospel. I think when Roy Keane speaks we all sit up and listen.
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"I think he's got huge gravitas in the game, for what he's achieved, for what he's done and everything he's gone through and achieved in the game.
"You do have to listen but he can be particularly vicious at times.
"No matter how he's played, if Roy Keane says he's had an absolute shocker and it's disgraceful and he's had a stinker we all go 'well, he has done', even without watching the game ourselves and going through it.
"We listen because it's Roy Keane and he's spoken so without seeing it as ourselves we take his opinion as gospel. Maybe we shouldn't do that."
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Keane himself has had his say on Maguire being booed – labelling fans "idiots" – but also accusing Southgate of having "double standards".
Appearing on ITV after the game, the 51-year-old said: "Every player gets booed. There is going to be idiots at football matches – England have a lot of idiots.
"Gareth could have easily said tonight 'it is no big deal'. He actually played well tonight, just focus on that."
Keane then added: "He is almost picking and choosing when to support his players.
Just get on with the game
"Sterling had a bust-up two or three years ago and was bombed out of the squad, he's left other players out.
"I remember when Harry was sent off last year against Denmark and he [Southgate] didn't really support him when he was walking off the pitch.
"I think he has made it a bigger story than it is. Just get on with the game.
"He played well and he will get fans back on side with his performances, not by people reacting to a few boos or social media. Be big enough and man enough to get on with the game."
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