Captain Castagna: "We deserve our place in the Play Offs"

NEWS Wednesday 10th September 2025, 1:30pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

With the Cab Direct Championship Play Offs about to begin, Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna is relishing the challenge of leading his side into a historic Scottish derby against Glasgow – the first ever to be broadcast live by BSN.

"We know what to expect. We know how strong Glasgow are and have been this year. They are first in the league and they are not the best in the league by any mistake.

"But on the other side we were predicted to be low in the league and we have finished fourth. We deserve the Play Offs and that's where we are. We've upset a few predictions."

Castagna says the team now want more, "The club should be very very happy to achieve the goal which was put in front of us at the start of the year, which was to get into the Play Offs, so we should already be happy. Now whatever we do now is extra.

"For me the main thing is to be strong in the home match and try to get as much lead as we can – first of all of course get a win!"

He also praised the spirit in the Monarchs camp, "When Kye was having a good night and covering for me, then the next week I was covering for Sedgy, and that was a good thing about the team.

"Now if we can all do the best we can do – I don't want to give any pressure to young Jordy because of course he is very young. Anything he does is extra, the rest of us need to score the 45, 48 or 50 points we are wanting."

And he is clear on the importance of the derby, "You know that the derby matches are a lot more important. I'm very proud that we are back in the Play Offs and I'm captain of the team this year, so that means that things went well for us.

"I know that the meetings with Glasgow are very important and if we can beat them at home, we are strong enough at Glasgow to keep the lead."

🎟️ Don't miss it – Championship Play Offs, Monarchs v Tigers, this Friday at Armadale Stadium.

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