MIDDLESBROUGH fans might be hoping for a glamour game at the Riverside in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup fourth-round draw – but Michael Carrick will happily take another trip to lower-league opposition if it means his side can continue to progress in the competition.

Boro claimed their third League Cup away win in a row this evening as goals from Emmanuel Latte Lath and Morgan Rogers secured a 2-0 win over Bradford City.

The Teessiders will discover their fourth-round opponents when the draw takes place tomorrow, with the possibility of a home tie against the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool a tantalising prospect.

However, with Exeter City and Mansfield Town having claimed third-round wins this evening, Boro could also find themselves handed another trip to a team from the lower-leagues, and while a glamour home game would be appealing, Carrick would rather be maximizing his chances of going as deep into the competition as possible.

The Boro boss said: “There is that side of it, and thinking about how special a big night at the Riverside could be (against a Premier League club). But there is also the thinking that we would like to win and go through.

“Winning is better, there is no denying that. Fairytales are good and I totally get that. The big nights are important, but we want to win and carry on in the competition.

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“The boys are keen to do that, and you could see that in the performance. Whatever is thrown at us, we’ll try and do our best. You can’t beat that winning feeling though, whoever you play.”

Carrick was understandably delighted with his Middlesbrough side’s performance this evening, with his decision to make seven changes to his starting side being thoroughly vindicated by his team’s display.

He said: “We’re happy with the performance. It was a dominant win, but I emphasised at half-time that we don’t get comfortable. The confidence we showed to control the game was really good though and we looked really good.

“In possession, we looked really smooth and dangerous at times. Out of possession, we kept them up the pitch and won it back up the pitch, keeping them out of our penalty area for the most part, which is exactly what we were looking for. We just looked a good team - individually and as a team, so I’m delighted. 

“We understand what these type of games are, no matter who you’re playing and one is never enough. They have quality especially in and around the box who can score goals from nothing, so we were really determined to keep our intensity and level of performance.

“The second goal helps a lot and I can’t fault the boys for their approach and attitude towards the game. They were right at it from the off and got the result off the back of that.”