Killian Phillips for Ballon d’Or 2026 - St. Mirren fan goes into overdrive after League Cup success

December 15, 2025

Killian Phillips has been tipped to win the Ballon d’Or in 2026, at least by one ecstatic St. Mirren fan, following the Buddies’ deserved 3-1 victory over Celtic in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

The Paisley club, led by County Antrim native Stephen Robinson, collected their first silverware since winning the same competition in 2013, and they were worthy winners against Wilfried Nancy’s lacklustre side.

St. Mirren had heroes all over the pitch, including goalkeeper Shamal George and two-goal talisman Jonah Ayunga, but the San Diego-born Phillips also stamped his mark on the final.

The 23-year-old put in a great shift at Hampden Park. He was industrious and bright, even after taking a sore one from Daizen Maeda. His work rate never relented, often making sure Callum McGregor wasn’t able to dictate the play too much.

Over the course of the match, Killian Phillips and St Mirren won the battle.

The three-times capped Republic of Ireland midfielder certainly made an impact with a fan who was overjoyed in the aftermath of the landmark cup victory.

With Sky Sports reporting on the jubilant scenes from Paisley, the supporter remarked:

“Ballon d’Or winner 2026 Killian Phillips. The Don. Come on!”

After St Mirren won the Premier Sports Cup yesterday with a 3-1 win over Celtic at Hampden Park, Killian Phillips' mates take over Sky Sports' interview, calling for the Kilbarrack man to win the Ballon d'Or 😂😂 What a group!#StMirren #KillianPhiillips #football pic.twitter.com/oub18HtzyR

— Irish Football Fan TV (@irishfantv) December 15, 2025

Former Waterford player Roland Idowu was an unused substitute for St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final victory over Celtic.

Killian Phillips still in the thoughts of Heimir Hallgrimsson and the Ireland coaching team

For now, the former Crystal Palace player will be content with his latest career upturn, in what has been a very productive spell in Scotland.

Killian Phillips first joined St. Mirren in summer 2024 on an initial loan deal, with the move made permanent at the start of this season. His contract runs through to the end of the season, but the club retains the option to extend it by another year.

He will have gone into the cup final wanting to send a message to Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, and that mission has been accomplished.

Phillips was a victim of the debacle in Armenia, with the 2-1 loss piling the pressure on the Icelandic coach.

The midfielder was heavily criticised for his impact, or lack of it, after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in Yerevan.

Phillips was then left out of subsequent squads, including the mammoth Portugal and Hungary wins to set up a World Cup playoff, but Ireland assistant manager Paddy McCarthy warned against reading too much into the situation.

https://twitter.com/TBAGIG/status/2000298630197203393

March World Cup playoff target

“As a squad as a whole, as a staff, as travelling supporters, we all had the difficult night together, in the same way we all had a great night in Hungary. Killian is still well within our thoughts and there’s competition for places.

“So, Killian not getting in the next squad was not down solely to his performances or performance in Armenia. He came on in difficult circumstances when we’re chasing the game….I’ve no doubt that Killian is going to have a lot more in the future. He just needs to keep performing at St Mirren and who knows what March will bring.”

St. Mirren boss Stephen Robinson is also on the record praising the talent of Phillips, describing his midfielder as “a top footballer who’s going to play at a very good level.”

If he keeps up his current form, he stands a great chance of making the squad for the World Cup playoff, with other clubs also paying attention to the St. Mirren star.