The dust has finally settled on the end of one era at Braehead Clan. Tonight, the old will meet the new.

In what will be John Tripp’s first ever competitive game as Clan head coach, the former German internationalist will face a Manchester Storm team managed by the man he replaced here in the form of Ryan Finnerty.

The Canadian’s four-year spell in Glasgow was brought to an end back in April when a poor quarter-final defeat to Dundee Stars led Braehead bosses to act as they sought change at the helm of a team that only two years earlier was just one point away from winning the league.

In an exclusive interview, Finnerty reflects on his time at Braehead Clan, while looking forward to what will be an incredible spectacle at the Braehead Arena tonight.

SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS ONE?

RF: “I’m sure this one has caught the imagination of spectators and a lot of people around the two teams. If anyone asked me or Tripper what we would if liked it may have been a bit more time with our teams to get them a bit more prepared for such a battle.

“But it’s going to be fun. We basically start a week earlier than everyone else. The Challenge Cup format this year will make it tough for both us and Braehead to advance so games like this are pretty big.

HOW HAVE YOU SETTLED IN AT MANCHESTER?

RF: “It’s good and we’ve really enjoyed our time. We’ve met some really great people here and we’re trying to settled in. We’ve done well to do it so quickly.

“The team are getting into their routine now.

“I’ll always cherish my time in Braehead and look back on it with good memories. We did some pretty incredible things. We came as close as you can to winning a title with a mid-budget team.

“We had a lot of really good guys to coach and really good people come through there during my time there. We still have a ton of friends, we had our wedding in the summer and Scotland was well represented at it from fans to Clan guys.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun to see a lot of old faces and give it a different perspective into that building.

WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION DO YOU ANTICIPATE TONIGHT?

RF: “I hope I’ll be received well. We did a lot in my four years there and we grew a lot in my time with the organisation. But once you get on that bench you are pretty focused on doing what you’re doing.

“It will be a good few seconds before that puck drops and then it’s straight down to business.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS AS TO HOW YOUR TIME AT BRAEHEAD CAME TO AN END?

RF: “It wasn’t a good year. The first three I thought we continued to make really good strides. Last year we eventually finished fifth.

“When you get to those play-off games, any coach in the world would laugh at you if you said it comes down to one game at the end of the year and that’s how it dictates your season. Unfortunately, Dundee had an incredible two games and for whatever reason we didn’t rise to the challenge.

“But overall I thought we put a good run in during the second half of the season. We did whatever we could to try and get the team some wins. We scored a lot of goals but unfortunately we struggled at the back end.

“We weren’t Sheffield or Nottingham with a huge budget. We always had to scrape for everything. To get within a point or five points away from winning the league, that’s what I look at. Not a one off game. To be up there after 50-odd games is where you judge people and I’m pretty proud of what we did.

“Sadly we couldn’t get the silverware but we came pretty close.

YOU HAVE TAKEN THREE CLAN PLAYERS IN MATT BECA, JAY ROSEHILL AND MIKE HAMMOND TO MANCHESTER. COULD YOU HAVE TAKEN MORE?

“We can’t match Braehead’s budget but I’ve always had a pretty good respect level with my players. So we bided our time, stayed in touch and when the time was right we were able to offer a package whether through school or financial to get some signatures.

“I think guys are comfortable playing for me. It’s a big thing for guys coming across [from North America] knowing what situation they are going to be in.

“Guys like Mike Hammond, Jay Rosehill and Matt Beca are guys who’d be on any team in this league, and we are fortunate enough to have them here.”