Diced carrots in casserole?

This is kind of stupid question buuutt... I'm making shepherd's pie. I just diced up some carrots to go in it. If I'm baking at 350 for 30 minutes, is there any need to soften the carrots up beforehand? I usually use a can of peas and carrots, but I don't have one so these carrots are raw. I just wanna make sure they are soft when its done.

I don't think they would get soft inside a casserole for 30 minutes.

If I were you, I'd boil them for a little while before I put them in the casserole.

I would just cook them a little before hand, just so they're a little tender and then finish them off in the oven.

Thanks, I decided to cook them with the meat while I browned it