Former Real Madrid star Aitor Karanka is targeting a cup upset when Hull City visit his Middlesbrough side on Saturday.
The Boro head coach says the match against the Premier League side is a bonus - and a fantastic opportunity.
The Spaniard said: “At the moment, for us it is a gift to play against a Premier League team. We have been playing well and it’s a good opportunity to compare ourselves against a team from the Premier League.
Karanka was assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid
“I can see what the difference is between the teams. My players deserved to play Hull City and they need to enjoy it as well as working 120%.”
The Third Round tie will be the former Spanish international’s first taste of the cup – and after seeing his side record three wins and a draw over the festive period he is in confident spirits.
Speaking to the Evening Gazette, Karanka added: “I want to win the game. We will need to work even harder than we did in other games because Hull are a better team.
“I will only make changes that I think we need to make because of fitness concerns but the 11 players I put on the pitch will be capable of winning the game.”
