Hull City manager Grant McCann insists that despite a busy festive fixture period on the horizon, the Hull City camp is feeling positive and looking forward to the challenge ahead. 

The Tigers travel to the Riverside Stadium on Sunday to take on struggling Middlesbrough which will be the Tigers first of nine games over 31 days.

The run includes hosting Preston North End while also facing tricky trips to Leeds United, Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers.

Despite this hectic run and potential tricky fixtures, Hull boss Grant McCann has revealed that everyone in the first team camp is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

Speaking to the club's official media channels on Tuesday evening, McCann said: "We’re happy where we are, no one has given us a chance since day one, the three successive wins probably made people think maybe we are a decent team."

McCann insists Hull's goals is a top-six spot but is happy to go about their business quietly: "We’ll continue to be under the radar, prove people wrong and see where we go," he told the club's media channels.

The Tigers have been inconsistent this season but have picked up some impressive wins so far this season, including a 3-0 thrashing of Fulham at Craven Cottage at the start of November.

Speaking of his aspirations, McCann said: "We’ve got aspirations – ones we’ve had since day one. We want to make sure we put ourselves in a position, especially over these next run of games heading into the festive fixture schedule. This is where it can really take shape."

"We’re still learning. We’re still a work in progress. We just need to continue working hard day in, day out in order to improve in all areas of our game," McCann continued.

Speaking of his staff around the club, McCann told the media channels: "One thing I will always say is that we have a really good group here. A fantastic bunch of players, hard-working staff and – together – we will work hard to try and get better and improve."

The Verdict

The Tigers went into the international break on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion and the trip to Middlesbrough will present a perfect opportunity to bounce back from that defeat.

Hull have won three of their last four away games and should they beat Middlesbrough on Sunday it will set them up nicely for their upcoming run.

There is no doubt that City have a tough run ahead but given their impressive results so far this season, they should take confidence into that run.

Should the Tigers manage four to five wins out of the nine games, it will send a warning signal to other Championship sides that they are serious play-off contenders.