Killian Phillips 'ready to make St Mirren home' after sealing loan move

Killian Phillips says he is “ready to make St Mirren home” after sealing a move to the Paisley club.

The 22-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder has returned to Scotland following a loan spell at Aberdeen last season.

He has joined the Buddies for the duration of the 2024/25 campaign with Stephen Robinson’s side also having an obligation to buy next summer.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who was born in the United States, will be contracted to Saints until the summer of 2026, with the club holding an option to extend for a further year.

Phillips spent the second half of last season at the Dons where he made 10 appearances in the Premiership and three in the Scottish Cup.

He was part of the side that took Celtic to a penalties in a Hampden semi-final but suffered what he calls the lowest point of his playing career when he missed a decisive kick in the shootout that denied the Dons a place in the final.

However, he has now put that behind him as he prepares to begin life as a St Mirren player as the club aims for a third consecutive top-six finish.

Speaking to the media on Thursday after his signing was announced he said: “It probably didn’t work out the way we wanted at Aberdeen but I enjoyed my time up here, and I know how big the league is and how passionate the fans are so it was a big draw for me to come back.

“When the window opened St Mirren were one of the first clubs showing an interest so it’s always good to feel wanted.

“I think a big thing for the Irish coming across the water to get settled in, because if you’re not settled then you can’t really focus on football.

“So I am delighted that it’s easy for Irish people to come over here and things like that and I’m looking forward to making this my home and the football will look after itself.

“At Aberdeen we went on a bit of a poor run at times and stuff like that so it didn’t really work out how I hoped it would.

“The semi-final was tough, it was probably the worst I have ever felt on a football pitch, but being the type of person I am, it was still sore in the morning but after that you can’t really dwell on stuff like that because the world keeps spinning no matter what.

“So, yeah, it was tough at the time and stung for a couple of days but you just have to move on.

“No one wants to be the one who misses the penalty but someone has to at the end of the day and If I am ever involved in a penalty shootout again I will be the first to put my hand up.

“I think this is the right move for me to progress in my career now.

“St Mirren had a great year last year and a great season and knowing the gaffer’s track record of developing players was another reason I wanted to come here.”

Phillips, who is the ninth new signing of the summer at St Mirren, could make his debut for the club against Celtic on Sunday and he is keen to get started.

He said: “It would mean a lot, because it is a home game as well and getting out in front of our own fans so if called upon I will be ready.”