Killian Phillips reckons he should have scored St Mirren hat-trick in Motherwell defeat

The Buddies' Irish midfielder scored the opening goal of the game at Fir Park and reckons he should have added another two.

Killian Phillips admits he was “gutted” not to have grabbed a hat-trick after bagging his first Premiership goal.

St Mirren failed to take anything from Saturday’s game against Motherwell after a Lennon Miller double secured a 2-1 victory and three points.

It is a defeat that brings to an end the Buddies’ three-game unbeaten run – and their first defeat to Motherwell since February 2023.

And on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder Phillips says his goal means “nothing” when he takes into account the result as he highlighted the impact of both goalkeepers – especially when he was denied.

The Irishman said: “Both keepers for both teams were incredible. I haven’t seen my header back but I headered it into the ground. I did everything I could and it was in the corner. But I thought it was an unbelievable save [from Aston Oxborough].

“My goal meant nothing in the end but another day I have a hat-trick. Ellery [Balcombe] also pulled off an unbelievable save at the death to keep the game at 2-1. It was just one of those days in football.

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“It was a tough game and I am very disappointed in the result.

“There were times where we played well, as mad as that sounds. We did well and the patterns we have been working on started to show a little bit. The main thing is the result – no matter if we played well or not.”

Phillips gave his side the lead early in the first half with a wonderful touch and volley to get off the mark for the Buddies.

The 22-year-old could have had two more; his strike at the start of the second half was ruled to have hit the arm of Dan Casey and stopped it from going in – the defender receiving a red card in the process.

Although Mark O’Hara’s spot-kick was saved, Phillips had another chance to head his side level with Oxborough stopping a powerful header.

But the midfielder, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aberdeen, says he was happy to get his first full 90 minutes under his belt for the club.

He also praised his manager for the way he deals with the players and looks to make them better. He said: “I think I am getting
there.

“I had a tough pre-season as I didn’t really have much of one at Palace. That is my first full 90 since March and I still think that there are another level or few to go.

“Fitness wise, I think I am starting to get there and I know how the boys play. The gaffer is excellent. His track record at developing players is unbelievable.

“Every day, on the grass, you get better. You try hard every single day and even the extras you do are always about developing the
player.

“Sometimes managers are just all about results, and it is a results business. But on the pitch, he is just trying to make you better every single day and that is exactly what we need as players.”

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