The Betfred Super League round three derby will be the first time McGuire has returned to his old stamping ground as Castleford Tigers’ head coach.
A win would be the perfect way for McGuire – who took charge in pre-season, assisted by another former Rhinos hero Brett Delaney – to get off the mark following three successive defeats.
But with Tigers reeling from a 46-6 drubbing at home by St Helens last week, his focus is entirely on getting a response from his team and he insisted: “It is not about me.”
McGuire said: “I always love going back to Headingley. It is a place that’s really close to my heart and I had some amazing moments there, but it’s about doing my job the best I can and preparing my team.
“It is not about me, obviously there’s a back story to it, but it’s about the players and them going there and putting on a good show.
“My job at the moment is to prepare my players to go there and play well. There will be talk about me, but it is about the teams and the players and them showcasing what they are about.”
Castleford Tigers boss Danny McGuire previews Headingley return with Leeds Rhinos assessed
McGuire – who won eight Super League titles with Rhinos – was a player and then assistant-coach at Hull KR after leaving Leeds.
He moved to Tigers ahead of last season, as assistant to then-boss Craig Lingard and, despite seeing his side knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Championship Bradford Bulls and beaten in their opening two Super League matches, the Castleford boss insisted: “I am loving it, really enjoying the challenge.”
He said: “There’s lots of things to get stuck into here and we are working hard. We are trying to get the players prepared to represent the club and the badge and do it justice.
“It is a local derby at Headingley and they shouldn’t need me shouting and screaming, trying to motivate them – it should all come from within this week.”
Leeds shook off the loss of stand-off Brodie Croft and loose-forward Cameron Smith to first half injuries when they picked up their first Super League win of 2025 away to Salford Red Devils last week.
“They look a tough team and one that’s working hard for each other,” McGuire observed.
“If anything doesn’t quite go your way you have got to be able to adapt and be resilient and find a way. Leeds showed that last week with their commitment to each other.
“It is going to be a big challenge for us and I can’t see any reason why we can’t be motivated and ready to go there and play well.
“It has come on the back of a not-great performance, it’s at Headingley, which is a great place to play and it’s a really tough challenge, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Tigers’ squad for Leeds on Sunday pic.twitter.com/I5R3gQWIqj
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) February 28, 2025
