Of course I have (Hibs) green tinted specs on, but come on, Killen stayed at Celtic for 2 full seasons and did almost the square root of zero. It was obvious to everyone but him that it was never going to work out there but he stayed anyway, and then eventually 2 years later he went out on loan.
I'd hardly say I am basing my opinion on a sh*tload of nothing when I've probably seen Killen play more games in the flesh than any person on here? He also disrespected Hibs in the media by saying they were simply a "stepping stone" for him. It may be true, but he didn't have to actually say it in public about the team who plucked him from relative obscurity at Oldham (where he was going nowhere) and gave him a shot in a top league, and as stated, stuck by him through his injuries.
By the way, he's not the world's only footballer to do this...another Hibs player who went at the same time is now back at Hibs after having the exact same experience at Celtic. These guys never learn.
And then there's the old favourite I want to be banned I want to be banned who sat on his considerable arse for a year picking up his 40k per week after being told he definitely would never play again and could go!
I seem to recall Killen wanted to stay at Hibs but they only offered him a one year deal. so he did the thing any human would do and went for more money and a longer contract length. As far as players go picking up cheques happily, see Winston Bogarde, now thats a good story
You are correct - Hibs offered him a one year deal based on the fact he was injured for approximatey 50% of his time at the club, and had a bad record for injuries. In the end, Celtic did their usual buying/signing the best players from other teams in the league just because they can with no real intention of playing them, and off he went.
My gripe with Killen is that there were no thanks given to Hibs after picking him up from a team like Oldham and putting him right back in the spotlight where he had the opportunity to be noticed by the likes of Celtic. Instead, it was the disrespectful stuff that I mentioned in my previous post.
I'm fairly sure Smeltz was pretty respectful, and thankful, of what Phoenix had done for him when he left. I think if Smeltz had said Phoenix were simply a stepping stone to bigger things, most of you guys wouldn't have exactly appreciated the comment.