Will Grigg was happy to prove his quality once again, while on loan at MK Dons during the second half of the 2020/21 season.
Grigg arrived at Stadium MK in January for his second spell at the Club and, just like in his first, enjoyed plenty of success – contributing 11 goals in just 20 appearances, including a club-record four-goal salvo against Swindon Town.
“As a footballer you do go through times that are tough and it has been tough for myself over the last couple of seasons,” Grigg told iFollow MK Dons. “I always knew I still had the ability and the quality and it was nice to prove that.
“It was a big decision to come back here and, from the moment I came back, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It has been a positive end to the season for us, with how far the team has come, and it’s been great to be a part of.
“The Swindon game will obviously be a highlight. To score four goals and break the record was a special moment for myself. The 56 passes goal against Gillingham too – it was nice for me to be on the end of it. That was all the hard work on the training pitch coming together.
“It has been brilliant (working with Russ and Luke). I’m 29 but I’ve learnt something new every day and that’s credit to the manager, Luke and all the staff – they challenge you every day, whether you are 19 or 35.
“It’s felt like home and that’s partly down to the fans – even though they haven’t been here, you see the messages they send in. It felt great right from that very first week and that didn’t change.”
Grigg, who will return to his parent club this summer, played a key role in Russell Martin’s Dons establishing themselves in the division ahead of next season, and is confident MK Dons can continue in the right direction in 2021/22, while the striker also provided a positive outlook for one of the Dons’ young prospects – Charlie Brown.
“I don’t think we’ve seen a style like this, at this level, for a while, if ever, and it’s one thing to try and do it but another thing to have success with it too. It’s massively important for the Club to try and keep everyone together as much as they can. It’s going to be a big summer, on and off the pitch.
“There is a great bunch of boys here who are willing to learn. That’s the environment that the Gaffer and Lukey have created. If you’re not willing to learn or drop your ego, then it won’t work.”
On Brown, Grigg said: “He is a great lad, he works hard and he’s got a load of ability. I think it was important for him to be around this first-team environment and play games.
“He’s scored a few goals already and I think he’s got a really bright future ahead of him.”
