Defender Tom Flanagan believes he can take a lot from the 2-2 draw with Rotherham United this past weekend.
Flanagan, who made two appearances for Graham Westley’s men during his time at Lamex Stadium, put in assured performance in the centre of a Dons defence which also lost Brendan Galloway to a sending off, as the men from MK1 frustrated the promotion-chasing Millers.
The 22-year-old replaced an injured George Baldock just before half-time in Saturday’s clash at New York Stadium, only 24 hours after being recalled by Karl Robinson from his loan at Stevenage.
“As a centre-half you never really go into a game on the bench thinking that you’re going to come on,” Flanagan told MK Dons Player. “Of course, you’ll get yourself ready and prepared, just in case, but it’s very rare that a defender comes on.
“I enjoyed it, it was a good test and I’ll be looking to take little things out of it for next season. I’m just pleased to have played, this is my parent club and I want to play as many games as I can here.”
Saturday’s result saw the Dons earn their second point in six days from a side which could be playing Championship football in 2013/14, following their 2-2 draw with Brentford on Easter Monday and Flanagan feels the side can come away from South Yorkshire with their heads held high.
He added: “I feel we gave a good account of ourselves. We’ve gone back in the dressing room disappointed and not many people can walk away from this stadium, with their record here and having had ten men for so long, and be disappointed with a draw. We’re proud in that respect.
“We’ve got a never-say-die attitude here at the moment and that’s really down to the gaffer. He’s installed that in us and that showed, people were throwing their selves in front of the ball and when Brendan got sent off, which I thought was a bit harsh, we didn’t roll over.”
