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Eamon O’Carroll believes that St Helens have never once doubted the fact they can still make the play-offs, despite being four points adrift. With just four games remaining, Saints take on Castleford Tigers this afternoon, and a win at home would reduce that deficit to two, but only until Hull KR’s result against Toulouse came through, when the four-point gap is expected to be resumed. Saints are at risk of missing the finals for the first time in Super League history, with this season being their worst on record in the modern era. However, with games still to play their fate is not yet sealed, and O’Carroll knows his side will give everything they can not only to keep the streak alive, but for their passionate fans who have had to do it tough this year. “We’ve always had the belief, honestly,” he told the press this week. “I know people might think we’re crazy for that, but yourselves [media] and the fans that get to see the 80 minutes of a weekend, we’re working day-to-day. “We understood that it wasn’t going to be something that would just happen overnight. What I think is really important is we’ve got to back that up and make sure that it wasn’t a one-off after Wakefield. “…There’s a big job on for the boys, but they’re prepped fantastically well and they’re prepped and primed and ready to go.” Saints have Castleford today, then play Leeds, Leigh and Hull KR, so their run-in is far from easy, and you would expect that they need to win every game from here on in to have even a chance at making the play-offs. Eamon O’Carroll hails St Helens’ appointment of Kevin Walters The big news coming out of the BrewDog Stadium this week was that the Red Vee have appointed their next head coach, and they have reportedly splashed the cash in signing Australia coach Kevin Walters. Walters will guide the Kangaroos in this year’s World Cup, before returning to Super League after 16 years away, following his exit from Catalans Dragons in 2010. O’Carroll was initially tipped to become the permanent head coach of Saints, but immediately ruled himself out of the race after revealing that a pre-arranged move to rugby union would continue to go ahead. “I think it’s fantastic news for the club to finally have its future secured for the next few years in terms of who’s going to be the head coach,” the interim boss said on his successor. “I think it’s probably going to be uplifting in some respects for many people in the club. We’ve got some stability now moving forward, which is fantastic. “I think everyone knows the club’s a big club and will continue to be for many years. I don’t think anything’s changed there. I think it’s a huge statement from the club. I’m really happy for everyone involved, the board, the chairman, the players as well as the staff.” Walters is already familiar with some of the Saints contingent, having worked with Lee Briers and Tristan Sailor at the Brisbane Broncos a few years ago. On those links, O’Carroll said: “They’ve obviously got a working relationship there for a couple of years over in Brisbane. There’s a bit of familiarity there, and Tristan has obviously worked with Kevin before.” Playing under Walters is a big attraction, O’Carroll believes, and it is also great to see Super League getting the recognition it deserves, especially from the NRL. He said: “People playing and coaching in our competition at that calibre is something that really pleases me. Even though I’m moving on to a different sport, I think that’s good. “I want the game to be successful, and I want it to continue to grow as well. I think we’ve got a lot of good people in our game that are on the same wavelength and want to further develop our game because it’s a fantastic product.”