Games between MK Dons and Peterborough have been fiery down the years

The rivalry between MK Dons and Peterborough United could rekindle again this season, but it needs Posh to get a squad together capable of competing, according to a former hitman.

Aaron McLean was a thorn in Dons’ side during the early days of the clubs’ battles, lining up for the London Road club while both were vying for promotion in both League Two and League One.

Certainly no stranger to the clash, McLean scored four goals in eight games against the side from MK1, before earning a move to Hull City in December 2010. During his time in Cambridgeshire, the rivalry between the sides was at it’s peak, culminating with the sides meeting in the controversial play-off campaign at the end of that season.

With Dons returning to League One, McLean says the games between the sides this season could reignite the rivalry but only if Posh, who have finished 18th in back-to-back seasons, can put together a side capable of competing when it counts.

Speaking to the Citizen through BetSelect, McLean said: “I think if Peterborough are able to field a team that can do themselves justice, then yes (the rivalry can reignite).

“I was at a Peterborough legends evening a couple of months ago, where they spoke about those play-off games and the atmosphere. The main talking point wasn't necessarily the final. It was about beating MK Dons in the playoffs. So that rivalry is still most definitely there, and the fans will be desperate to capture that and embrace that.

“But what you don't want to do is have the rivalry without the battle on the pitch. The two have to go hand in hand. And by the time they meet, if both teams are fit and firing, you can expect fireworks for sure.”

Leaving Peterborough with a record of three wins, three defeats and two draws against Dons, McLean fondly recalls the games between the sides, especially those when the pair were going toe-to-toe for the League Two title in 2007/08.

He continued: “I have memories of some of the battles that we had. Every time we played against MK Dons, there was a fierce rivalry, and we were desperate to beat them. They were desperate to beat us. We'd kick lumps out of each other.

“They just had so many good players. Aaron Wilbraham up front was an absolute monster. Loved to stick his elbow into people. Keith Andrews was quality. Hard, hard tackler. Me and Dean Lewington had plenty of battles.

“I must say, I'm glad to see MK Dons back on the up now, because I think, as a club, they're fantastic. I love going to Stadium MK. I think it's a club that deserves to be in the Championship at least, and they've underachieved for far too long. So seeing them get back to where they need to be is definitely pleasing.”

With Paul Warne at the helm at Stadium MK, someone who has had three promotions from League One during his time in charge of Rotherham United and Derby County, McLean believes Dons could be in contention to go back-to-back.

McLean added: “I think they've got a fantastic chance. Their biggest asset is the manager. Their manager, Paul Warne, absolutely magnificent. He is the promotion guru, and he knows what it takes to build a team that can compete and earn promotions. And I fully expect him to add to the squad in the summer.

“They won't want to stand still now that they've got the momentum. I think last season it took them a little while to get going, and they'll probably be disappointed that they didn't go on and win the league. But I think that now that they're in League One, they can now look and say, right, let's kick on.

“When they were signing players, they were signing them to go not just to get out of League Two but to get out of League One as well. So there's no reason why, now, adding to the quality they've already got, they shouldn't be up there, up there, challenging not just for the playoffs but for automatic promotion.”

Aaron McLean was speaking to the Citizen via BetSelect.