Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says his side will not consider themselves as major underdogs going into Saturday's Premiership game against in-form Cliftonville at Solitude.

The Reds sit second in the table on the back of a run of just one defeat in their last eight league matches.

Carrick lie 10th in the table with 18 points from 18 games, two points ahead of Glenavon and six above bottom side Loughgall.

The Taylors Avenue outfit have picked up 12 points from eight top flight outings since Baxter took over the reins in early October, their most recent result a 2-1 victory over Ballymena United last weekend.

"We don't go into the game thinking this is going to be a David vs Goliath tie. We have to go in with confidence and play the game the way we see it," said Baxter.

"We take with us what we've been working on and doing well with. We have to impose ourselves into this game.

"Cliftonville are a magnificent side right now. They pass the ball well and get into good areas of the football pitch. They've got a very experienced group of players who have been around. You just have to make sure you stay in the game."

Baxter added that his side's confidence has been restored somewhat after a difficult start to their season.

"It's been very positive. We have been very competitive in all the games we have played to date [since Baxter assumed charge].

"It's been a great response from the players. Everybody has reacted well to the changes that have been made and there is a lot of confidence in the squad now to try and win some matches.

"There are some very capable players so I think it was just a little bit of confidence and self-belief that we needed to instil in people and just reassure people that they've got that ability to deliver."