Killian Phillips hoping Aberdeen can change momentum in Kilmarnock cup clash

Aberdeen midfielder Killian Phillips is eyeing the chance to change the momentum after feeling the pain of a tough run.

Phillips is yet to experience a league victory since moving on loan from Crystal Palace and last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against St Mirren was particularly tough to take given the Dons led five minutes into stoppage time.

The Dons have not won in 10 league games in all and sit third-bottom of the cinch Premiership with their only victory under Neil Warnock coming in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup against Bonnyrigg Rose.

A top-six place looks out of sight but there is still an opportunity to enjoy some success for Warnock and Phillips in the Scottish Cup, with Saturday’s home game against Kilmarnock providing the chance to seal a trip to a Hampden semi-final.

The Irishman said: “Saturday was incredibly tough to take. Everyone was hurt after the game. The bus on the way back up the road was very quiet.

“It is gutting because defensively we were near perfect up until the 90 minute. The two goals were a kick in the teeth.

“All you can do is come in on a Monday and work as hard as you possibly can in training. We have been doing that all week. The players are the only ones who can turn this around.

“Saturday is a one-off game. Sometimes cup games break up the league fixtures. There has to a be a winner on the day and we will be looking for it to be us.”

The 21-year-old joined the Dons in January following a loan spell with Wycombe in the first half of the season.

“Off the park I have enjoyed my time at the club so far,” he said. “The boys have been very good with me and helped me settle in. The gaffer has been very good to work with.

“The results have been tough, very tough. It is not where Aberdeen Football Club should be. We should be looking up the table and not down.

“But these things happen in football. You go on bad runs and it is up to the players to rectify the situation.

“In difficult situations you need to stick together and we have a very close-knit group here. It hurts, it hurts in the dressing room when you lose football games. It hurts a lot.

“But we have a good group and we stick together. There is a lot of quality in the dressing room, some real talent. I believe we will turn it around.

“It has been tough but we can’t change the past. We must focus on what is ahead and that is a massive cup game. It is a chance to get to a semi-final and a big day out at Hampden.

“Momentum changes so quickly in football, one win can change everything. We must look forward.”