Killian Phillips

On 14 December 2025, St. Mirren beat Celtic 3–1 in the Scottish League Cup final, the club's first major trophy in 12 years. Killian Phillips was part of a side that had already reached the previous season's final.

The route there was indirect. Born in San Diego, he moved to Dublin at the age of five and came through a string of Irish youth sides, among them Kilbarrack United, Corduff and St Kevin's Boys, before joining the Drogheda United academy in 2020. He made his senior debut for Drogheda in 2021 and moved to Crystal Palace in January 2022 for an undisclosed fee.

He did not play a senior game for Palace. At Shrewsbury Town in 2023 he scored three times in 19 league appearances and was named Young Player of the Season. He then had a loan at Aberdeen, where he made 10 league appearances.

In 2024–25 he played 35 league games, scored four goals and was named the club's Player of the Year, as St. Mirren reached the League Cup final. The club activated the obligation to buy in May 2025; reports put the fee at around £750,000. His contract runs to summer 2026, with an option for a further year.

His international career has moved in step. After appearances for the Republic of Ireland at under-20 and under-21 level, he made his senior debut on 6 June 2025 in a 1–1 friendly draw with Senegal at the Aviva Stadium. He has since won four senior caps, including starts against Luxembourg and Canada.