Castleford Tigers coach Danny McGuire responds to Hull KR fans after what he did at Craven Park

Castleford Tigers coach Danny McGuire looks set for a tough 2025 Super League season.

Many pundits and journalists alike have them finishing bottom of the table yet they were defiant in defeat in their opening game.

Nobody expected them to push Hull KR into Golden Point, even if they did end up on the losing side.

On his special guest appearance on Sky Sports during Thursday night’s game between Wakefield and Hull KR, McGuire told presenter Brian Carney about how he felt after their close-knit encounter the previous week.

He said: “We played with pride, we played with passion, we played with commitment against a team that everyone was expecting to be up there competing this week. So I was really pleased but ultimately we didn’t get the result.

“I’ve got to stop banging on the windows. The Hull KR fans in front weren’t happy but look that’s me, that’s me, I’m an emotional person.”

He said that his Tigers players had prepared for a tough game and he was really happy with how they’ve applied themselves during pre-season.

McGuire added: “I see my players working and committing every day, I see what they give up, I see the sacrifices that they have to make and I’m riding that wave with them.

“I’m playing every play, I’m involved and I’m not going to change, that’s me.

“I don’t think I deserve as much coverage, I’d much prefer the players to be getting the coverage but that’s me and I won’t change.

Pundit Jon Wilkin had been harsh on Castleford’s chance in 2025 but admitted that even he was surprised by how they hung in against Hull KR.

Wilkin said: “I questioned Castleford’s squad, didn’t I? I said Castleford have the worst squad in the competition and let me clarify this.

“On paper, I believe they’re one of the worst squads. Now, what Danny and his team took from last week is belief.

“When your squad is not as strong as everyone else, that’s everything. It’s absolutely everything.”

The Castleford Tigers coach went on to address Wilkin’s comments and how his side feels about the massive underdog tag that people across the game have given Castleford this season.

McGuire finished: “Listen, we’ve got a good squad. We’ve got players that are committed and want to improve and want to get better.

“As a professional player, I’m not sure you need any added motivation, you should be preparing, you should be doing everything to perform on a weekend.

“As he (Jon Wilkin) is an ex-St Helens player, we may use it this weekend.”

Castleford Tigers coach McGuire and his side face St Helens on Saturday’s late fixture at 8pm.