The Glasgow Clan’s head coach search shouldn’t take much longer.
Glasgow cut ties with Corey Neilson on 27 January with the team hurtling towards disaster, having won just twice in eight attempts since the turn of the year.
The Clan’s miserable January form included back-to-back, three-goal destructions against the Coventry Blaze, a 5-1 reverse by the Manchester Storm, and a shutout defeat to the Cardiff Devils.
Discontent filled the Braehead Arena, with key players underperforming and fans growing increasingly anxious at the prospect of another lost season.
Saying that the mood has shifted in the weeks since is an almighty understatement.
Following Neilson’s exit, the Clan went 12-9-4 (playoffs included), moved 26 points clear of the Dundee Stars, and finished only two wins outside the top six.
Despite holding a league-worst 16 percent clip on the powerplay (and an eighth-ranked penalty-kill), the Glaswegians clambered back into a window of respectability, winning the games that they had to win win (5-1-0 against the Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers), while punishing title contenders whenever the opportunity arise.
Central to Glasgow’s revival: Mike Sirant, a 67-year-old with just one prior season of professional head coaching experience.
Who is Glasgow Clan interim head coach Mike Sirant?
Mike Sirant, Glasgow Clan (Image: University of Manitoba)
Sirant joined the Clan as an assistant to Neilson in July 2024.
The Canadian sat out the previous season, having spent the previous thirty campaigns attached to the University of Manitoba.
Through three decades behind the Bisons’ bench, the Winnipeg native recorded 332 regular-season wins, becoming the winningest coach in the history of the programme.
Sirant enjoyed a two-year stint at the helm of the Danish National Team, guiding the Danes to a then-record tenth-place finish at the 20o7 IIHF World Champiosnhip.
Before joining the Clan, his only other professional head coaching experience came in 1999 with Austrian side VEU Feldkirch.
Why should the Glasgow Clan hire Mike Sirant permanently?
Glasgow’s recent results and performances speak for themselves.
Before Neilson’s exit, the Clan’s season had the look and feel of a busted flush: too good to miss the playoffs; too lacklustre to make any kind of impact down the stretch.
But the Braehead Arena side look transformed with Sirant in charge.
The Clan regained their confidence, leaning heavily on Sami Aittokallio between the pipes, and started playing on the edge.
More physical. More direct. And more competitive all over the ice.
Sirant also extracted improved performances from his best players.
Tristin Langan finished the season with eight points (two goals, six assists) in his final six appearances, clicking into gear at the right moment.
On the blueline, Joe Hazeldine made noticeable strides on and off the puck.
All in all, Sirant has brought the feel good factor back to Glasgow.
Heading to Playoff Finals Weekend for the first time in 12 years, the Clan can dream again.
If he wants the job, Sirant is the obvious choice for Glasgow’s head coaching vacancy.
READ MORE:
