Glenn Taggart believes beating Linfield in the Irish Cup would probably rank as the competition's biggest ever shock, but he accepts his Wellington Rec side face a formidable challenge against the "best side in the country".

The Blues have lifted the famous trophy 44 times, including two under current boss David Healy.

Wellington Rec currently ply their trade in the Ballymena and Provincial League, highlighting the seismic gulf between the sides as they prepare to lock horns in Saturday's fifth round.

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Taggart said: "It is a massive challenge. I look back to the 1976 Irish Cup final when Carrick Rangers beat Linfield. Being a Carrick man that stands out.

"That was probably the biggest shock in a final. Then you have the likes of Newington beating Glentoran, and Queen's University getting a couple of big results, including that one against Linfield a couple of years back.

"If we were to win on Saturday, I can't think of a bigger shock. That just adds to it.

"But we are under no illusions. If you get ahead of yourself then you can come in for a nasty shock. The game can get away from you very quickly.

"I had a couple of finals under Gary Haveron at Carrick, and I remember losing a quarter-final to Cliftonville 2-1. That was a real hard one.

"As a manager, I managed against David Jeffrey when I was at the PSNI. I also managed against Linfield in the County Antrim Shield a couple of times.

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"So this will be up there with anything I have done as a manager. It is exciting, but I know how big a challenge it is."

Taggart admits he finds some of the criticism aimed at Linfield and manager Healy this season as being "incredible".

The Blues currently lead the Irish Premiership title race and hold a hefty 10-point advantage over second-placed Glentoran.

Taggart says Saturday's opponents are "the best" around right now.

"Being David Healy and Linfield, in their own stadium, is really taking on the best of the best. We look forward to pitting our wits against the best," he said.

"You see people writing Linfield off at stages this season, and they are 10 points clear at the top of the Premiership. I find it amazing that people were talking about David Healy being under pressure and potentially leaving Linfield.

"Irish League football is about results, and sometimes scorelines dictate fans' feelings on their team. I have seen a couple of the Linfield games on TV and they have some of the best players in the league.

"They might not have hit the heights this season, but for me they are the best team in the Irish League right now and they have the best manager right now. It is something I find incredible, that people were questioning them."

One of the painful decisions Taggart will have to make ahead of Saturday's game is picking his match-day squad, and informing those players who have missed out on the historic occasion at Windsor Park.

"As a manager it is tough because players will be left out. There are still decisions to be made, even now on Friday," he said.

"I have missed out in the past myself. I think back to 2017 when Ballymena United beat Carrick in the League Cup final. I had played almost every minute of every round including the semi-final, but I didn't get a look-in in the final.

"That broke my heart and it still hurts. So I know it is a hard thing to do and leave players out. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these players, but it is still just one more game. I know it is massive, but our main focus is driving this club forward and progressing.

"We have 22 players fit and available, so four will unfortunately miss out on the squad. That is part and parcel of sport."

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