Barrie McDermott makes sensational claim about original Andy Last plan at Castleford

Barrie McDermott claimed last night that Castleford Tigers were always planning on appoint Andy Last as Lee Radford’s successor.

He said on Sky Sports last night that he had heard that Radford was always set to leave before 2024 as is widely reported.

However, he also said that the Tigers were preparing to allow Andy Last to immediately succeed Radford in 2024.

Thus, he questioned why Last was only in charge on an interim basis at present:

“If you believe what you hear, then Lee Radford had it in his mind and told the board that he wasn’t going to renew his contract for 2024, he wasn’t going to put himself forward.

“The board were happy and comfortable with Andy Last being the successor then. So if you were happy then, give him the job.

“Don’t let him be the successor, don’t let him have to deal with the uncertainty around his future.

“Give him the job and let him deal with the 14 players out of contract.

“Why create the pressure he’s under tonight?”

Last stepped up to the pressure last night as he guided the Tigers to their first win of the season against rivals Leeds Rhinos.

They won 14-8 thanks to a pair of Bureta Faraimo tries.

Richie Myler scored the Rhinos’ only try of the game in the first half as they took an 8-6 lead into the break before a disappointing and error strewn half from last year’s Grand Finalists handed the win to the Tigers.