NEWS: Keith impressed by first Clan outing

NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan face the Belfast Giants in an exciting start to the season on Sunday 28th August (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

intu Braehead Clan captain Matt Keith admits he was impressed by the new-look team after their 5-2 Aladdin Cup win at Nottingham Panthers – but has urged not to look too much into it.

Keith was among the five scorers as Ryan Finnerty’s men got their pre-season programme off to a great start with the victory over the Challenge Cup and play-off holders.

But he insists Saturday’s game wasn’t about winning and losing, more about putting into practice the instructions set by the Clan coach.

“To be honest, I was pretty impressed and it feels as though we have a lot of good people in the dressing room and some talented players in there,” Keith said.

“There were some guys that left, which was tough to see move on, but we’ve brought in guys to fulfil different roles. The first impression was certainly a good one for me.

“You certainly can’t read too much into it. It wasn’t so much about a win or a loss, but more about working on the things that Finner has wanted to work on in the first few days of the training camp.

It’s the first game of pre-season with a new team in a new season and we’re starting from the bottom and working our way up.”

Goals from Corey Cowick, Daniel Åhsberg, Keith, Kyle Wharton and Scott Pitt ensured the Aladdin Cup was returning to Scotland for a fourth year in a row as Panthers were left beaten.

It sets things up nicely for this weekend’s double header with Belfast Giants where Clan will again be tested ahead of the new season.

While Keith admits Saturday was a hard shift after not playing in four months, he insists the team is keeping things simple as they continue to prepare for the new campaign.

He added: “It was a long trip down and back, especially for the first one, but I thought we went down there and did what we set out to do.

“We’re not doing anything crazy and it’s all pretty standard and simple, but gives a framework from which to build off.

“In our own way, it helps to get you ready for the new season in what you want to do and we just went out and played, doing the things to help push yourself.

“Everyone was going to be rusty after not playing for four months, but I thought it was good for us. The win was nice and we get to regroup before we head into our second week.”