Killian Phillips
Killian Phillips take a bow son !🤩🇮🇪
What a goal by Phillips, some week for the ex Drogheda United man. pic.twitter.com/jtyfCUr334
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) November 25, 2023
Here’s a fun player – born in the US, he came through the ranks in Ireland, is a Crystal Palace player on loan in Scotland. In fairness, he moved to Ireland when he was five, and as a youth player for St Kevin’s Boys, the same club that gave the world the likes of Liam Brady and Damien Duff. He was also at Drogheda in 2021, so I’d wager we’re aware of him.
He moved to St Mirren permanently in the summer, and at 23, he is a little older than the other players on this list, but I like him. He’s 6ft 3in, a physical presence, and while many outlets describe him as an attacking midfielder, I can see his traits suiting our twin sixes, perhaps the Tom Bayliss role, where he can roam a little further forward.
He’s won 66.3% of his defensive duels, makes 3.77 interceptions per game, but also looks decent with the ball. His passing numbers are not bad – 71.8% accuracy, but perhaps that’s the area that could put us off. Also, he was recently capped by Ireland, and any move south of the border would surely be for the Championship.
In fact, he strikes me as the perfect player for a League One club who are promoted at the end of this season.