It has been a tough start on the field, but good things are happening behind the scenes at Castleford Tigers, coach Danny McGuire insists.
McGuire’s men were knocked out of the Betfred Challenge Cup by Championship Bradford Bulls in his first game in the hot seat, but pushed 2024 Grand Final runners-up Hull KR all the way to golden-point extra time before slipping to a 19-18 defeat in Super League round one.
The Leeds Rhinos legend was assistant to then-coach Craig Lingard at Castleford Tigers last year and had a spell as caretaker-coach of his previous club Hull KR, but this is the first time he has been in charge of his own team.
Saturday’s visit of St Helens is his home debut in the hot seat and two defeats have done nothing to dampen his enthusiasm for the role.
“I am really enjoying it,” McGuire said. “I love coming to work and working with all the lads. They are all really good and really coachable and we’ve got a great staff.
“There’s lots of good things happening off the field and people will see a difference on Saturday – a new player’s tunnel and changing rooms.
“Some things are happening to make the place a better environment, not just the players, but everybody.
“It’s not perfect, there’s lots of things need to be better, but some good things are happening behind the scenes and I am really enjoying being part of it.”
After last week’s gritty performance, McGuire is confident Tigers can compete with Saints, who hammered a second-string Salford Red Devils side 82-0 in round one.
“That was a bit more like what we are about and what we are trying to create,” McGuire said of last week’s effort.
“Some of the things the players did is some of the stuff we’ve been working on.
“We need to do it again; we need to believe we can compete with these teams that are probably in a bit better position than us at the minute, that are a bit higher and a bit stronger.
“That belief and commitment to each other we saw last week, we need to do it again – that’s the challenge.”
🤝 Danny McGuire names his squad to face the Saints!
🎟️ https://t.co/YsHjNGl7zl#COYF • @sixescricketuk pic.twitter.com/WbVcPbFc29
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) February 20, 2025
