I’M IN WITH THE BRICKS
Dons star Killian only has eyes for the ball after 40-minute stint as builder
It was football or nothing. I managed to turn professional and if you look back at it it’s nuts
KILLIAN PHILLIPS ON HIS ROUTE TO DONS
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 Euro qualifier with San Marino, is looking to use his loan at Aberdeen to help him cement a topteam 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.”
Phillips’ rise to the Premier League has been pretty crazy. 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 playing Sunday League up until I was 17.
“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. I went there and signed.
“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 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 ended up at one of the games and must have seen enough to want to sign me.”
Phillips has been involved with the Palace development squad and has also had loans at Shrewsbury and Wycombe.
He came up to Aberdeen in January under Barry Robson. Since then he has worked under Robson, Neil Warnock and current caretaker Peter Leven.
Phillips could soon be on to the fourth boss of his short Pittodrie stay. The attacking midfielder helped the Dons to win at Motherwell last time out and is looking to push them up the table and to Scottish Cup glory after the international break.
He added: “My first time in Scotland was when I came up here. I’m very happy to be here and probably wish I’d come in the summer in fairness.
“I’ve enjoyed it up here so much. The results have been tough but all the boys in the dressing room and the way the fans are so passionate is something I’ve really enjoyed.”