Stephen Robinson made me a promise the first day I met him - he's just kept it and it made my mum cry tears of joy
Killian Phillips earned his first international call-up this week and his mum Cora burst into tears of joy
Killian Phillips has revealed St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson kept a special promise that led to the best day of his life and made his mum cry.
The on-loan Paisley star is celebrating a magical moment having received a first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for next month’s games against Senegal and Luxembourg.
Phillips read the FAI email 15 times in disbelief and the outpouring of joy had mother Cora in happy tears at the news.
It’s a career peak for the 23-year-old but no shock to Robinson who told him this would happen when he discussed signing him from Crystal Palace.
Phillips said: “In fairness to the gaffer here, he told me he’d make me an Irish international the day I met him. He’s been true to his word a lot this season.
“It’s probably the proudest moment of my life. It’s been my dream since I started playing football, so to get that call-up is so special.
“It means so much to me, my family and probably my whole community back home in Kilbarrack. The support I’ve got off all of them has been unbelievable, so it’s such a proud day for me and my family.
“I spoke to the gaffer a few weeks ago but he didn’t say I was in the squad or didn’t say I wasn’t. I wasn’t expecting too much and then I got the news. I was over the moon.
“We got an email at 10am (on Wednesday) and I couldn’t believe it. I checked the email about 15 times making sure it was real. It was unbelievable and I spoke to my mum, she was in tears and it was a very emotional time for me.
“It’s the pinnacle, playing for your country. So hopefully in the summer, I can have my debut. The club’s been great for me, gave me a platform and suits me the way I’m playing. It means a lot playing for St Mirren as well.”
If good things come in threes, Phillips will get even more joy.
Should St Mirren better Dundee United’s Saturday result, they’ll qualify for Europe for a second-straight term.
And once he gets off the pitch at Celtic Park, the midfielder will then get to see if his parent club can beat Manchester City at Wembley and lift the FA Cup.
Phillips said: “There’s still a chance. We’re going to go there and believe we can do it.
“Hopefully, we get the result we need and then Palace get the result as well. It’ll be great for the fans, it’s such a great club, so fingers crossed they do it.”