Hughes confident in Carrick’s ability

You wouldn’t need a degree in mathematics to figure out that Carrick Rangers will play in the Premiership next season if they win all their games between now and the end of the season. And boss Michael Hughes is very confident his team can at least earn the right to qualify for promotion via the play-off.

The direct route to top flight football is to win the Championship One title, but, for the Gers, there now seems to be no prospect of that happening. Long-time leaders Ards are just five points away from securing glory - and they have five matches from which to achieve it. And with just one defeat in 19 league outings, few would bet against them.

But Hughes insisted: “I believe we are one of the top two teams in the league, and I feel we will beat everybody else if we play well. It’s as simple as that.”

Having defeated Dundela 3-0 at Taylor’s Avenue on Wednesday evening, the two teams meet again this afternoon - this time in East Belfast.

Next to Ards, Hughes’ squad is the form team in the league and the former Northern Ireland international admits he’s had a few selection teasers to ponder!

“We have such a superb squad that I’m finding it difficult to choose 18 players never mind 11,” he said.

“That means some players are being left disappointed, but it’s a tremendous problem for a manager to have. All the guys will get game time, however, so I need them to be patient.

“I have great belief in this squad and I just wonder where we’d be right now if we had assembled them before the season started.”

Be that as it may, the important thing is where they will be when the Championship One season ends - and Hughes is optimistic they could just be facing a home and away play-off.