Confident Gills youngster Josh Hare wants the shirt off Matt Fish’s back.

Hare knows he will have to play well to get in Gillingham’s team ahead of fit-again Fish.

But the 19-year-old believes he is a genuine contender for the right-back position ahead of the League 1 opener at MK Dons on August 9.

Versatile Hare appeared for the second half at left-back in Gills’ 1-1 friendly draw at Conference Premier Welling on Saturday and can also play centre-half or in a holding midfield role.

But he’s a right-back by trade and manager Peter Taylor has told him what he must do to take his game to the next level.

“The only thing Fishy’s got on me is experience but I’ve got to believe I can get in there.”

Hare said: “I’m loving being part of it here this year and get myself in the side. I’ve got Fishy in front of me but with good performances like Saturday, you never know.

“The gaffer said he likes me, he said I’ve got things to work on.

“I know those things and he’s told me what I need to work on but it’s just a straight fight.

“Whoever gets it, gets it come the start of the season, with MK Dons first game.

“We’ve got games until then to play and we’ll see what happens but Fishy’s an experienced one so it’ll have to be good performances from me to be able to get in there.

“The only thing Fishy’s got on me is experience but I’ve got to believe I can get in there.”

Hare feels Taylor’s new-look squad will fare well in League 1.

He added: “It’s bright, quick, young. We’ve got a side that can hurt teams this year.”