I WOULDN’T TRADE FOR ANYTHING..
San Marino v Ireland Tom. 5pm
KILLIAN PHILLIPS knew he had to lay the foundations for a footballing career after lasting just 40 minutes on a building site.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, likely to be involved in tomorrow’s qualifier with San Marino, is looking to use his loan at Aberdeen to help him cement a top-team chance at Crystal Palace.
Phillips might not be afraid to get his hands dirty on the pitch but it was a different story off it. When he left school he tried the building trade but within minutes he wanted to wear boots of a very different type.
When asked what he’d have done if he wasn’t a professional footballer the 21-year-old said: “I hadn’t a clue to be honest.
“I’d have been goosed.
“I’d been on a building site for 40 minutes but I just walked off.
“It was rubbish, it wasn’t for me and I said I’m not doing that.
“It was either football or nothing. I managed to turn professional and if you look back it’s nuts.”
The midfielder’s rise to the Premier League has been remarkable.
He was playing Sunday League football at 17 then his pals got him into the youth ranks at local side Drogheda United.
Phillips said: “I never really played football seriously until I was 18.
“I was lucky I got into Drogheda then a year later I moved on to Crystal Palace.
“I was just playing football with my mates because that’s all I was caring about.
“A couple of the boys I knew were playing with Drogheda’s Under-19s. They told their gaffer about me.
“Within a year I was in the first team then I’d signed for Palace. It’s mad how it has worked out.
“Paddy Mccarthy (inset) is the Under-21s boss at Palace.
“He’s from Dublin as well. He was over watching matches, saw me playing and the rest is history.
“I’m not sure if he was there to watch me but he must have seen enough to want to sign me.”