THINK back over the last couple of decades and what stand-out Middlesbrough games and memories spring to mind?

Some will be league matches. The Riverside opening against Chelsea, perhaps. The Brighton promotion party. The Manchester City 8-1.

So many memories, though, are dominated by cup games, good and bad.

The Carling Cup, Eindhoven, the Liverpool League Cup semi-final, Marlon Harewood at Villa Park, the pain of Cardiff City in the FA Cup, the joy of Tottenham in the same competition.

At the start of any season, Boro's primary priority will be a Championship promotion push, but for Carrick, like so many supporters, there's something special about a big cup night.

“I’ve got no qualms in saying that creating memories and the big occasions is what we’re all in it for," says Boro's head coach ahead of tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at League One Port Vale.

"Of course, there is the other side of it and the responsibility of keeping the club in a certain position or pushing for the club to be in a better position. But it’s why we love the game. I remember the big occasions and big night and big performances and results.

"You’ve got to embrace that - the emotion, the passion, that feeling of something a bit different that one-off cup games bring. You can’t replicate it week in, week out in the league. We’re fully embracing that and enjoying the journey for as long as it lasts."

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Twenty years on from the Carling Cup success, Boro tonight go looking to reach the last four for the first time since they won the competition. Will that act as inspiration at Vale Park?

"In some ways yes but in some ways it's totally irrelevant," says Carrick.

"Historically it's nice and football throws up some beautiful things and storylines, but in terms of the boys going into this game, that's not on their mind, they're focused on what they need to do to get the result."

What also won't be on the minds of Boro's players is what could follow in this competition and the prospect of two huge semi-final ties against Premier League opposition.

“I don’t think that’s what we focus on because we can’t get too far ahead," said Carrick.

"The fact that it’s a quarter final, regardless of who it’s against which is I’m sure is exactly the same way Port Vale will be looking at it, it’s a great place to be and you want to get through. We look no further than that. We’re happy to be here and we’ll give it a right good go and see how we end up."

There's no getting away from the fact tonight is a glorious opportunity for Boro, but Carrick says their League One hosts will see it the same way. Boro have professionally seen off three lower league teams on their way through to this stage and Carrick insists there's no way his side will under-estimate tonight's challengers.

He said: "They've done very well. They're here, they had a fantastic result at the weekend when they played very well.

"They're dangerous, positive and aggressive with the way they play. They remind me a bit of Bolton in terms of the way they play, how they put so many across the back-line and they're quite open and expansive and lots of movement and quick clever play.

"They're a good team and they totally deserve to be where they are, as we do at this stage. We'll both be pushing for that next result.

"It's a great stage to be involved in. We've earned it, we've been away a lot and had some good results and good performances. This is a fantastic game for us, it's a big game, cup quarter finals don't always come along, we want to be at our best and we're looking forward to it.

"It's a huge challenge because it's such a big game for them as well and the atmosphere and the occasion and the intensity around the game will go up some levels and we have to be ready for that."

Carrick has rotated his squad in the Carabao Cup so far this season but, given how many players are out injured, was asked whether he's able to do that again tonight.

"Not massively, to be honest," he said.

"In terms of first team squad and senior players, we're low on numbers which gives a great chance to some of the younger players to be involved again, which is great for them. But it does limit the options for us in some ways.

"If the young players play or come off the bench then we'll make that decision, it's a chance for them to make that next step. Injuries are the injuries and we'll make the best of it. We've made the best of it so far and we'll keep doing that.

“There’s a balancing act in terms of the freshness of the squad but at the end of the day, it’s a huge game for us.

"We’ve always been really keen to progress and we’ve never treated it as a ‘give everyone a game and see what happens’. We have managed to rotate the squad a little and give other lads experience while freshening it up a little bit. But that’s always with the intention to progress and be competitive. We don’t see it as a burden to have an extra game of football. We’re delighted to be in this position."