Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham City striker Phillips has no plans to retire at the end of the season
Kevin Phillips has vowed to continue playing for at least one more season after the Birmingham striker reached the 250-goal mark in his career. [LNB]Phillips achieved the milestone with a last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew's after coming off the substitute's bench. [LNB]It was a massive blow to the Gunners' Barclays Premier League title hopes and again emphasised the impact Phillips can still have at the top level. [LNB] On target: Phillips scores the 250th goal of his career against the Gunners [LNB]Whether he will still be at Blues next season remains to be seen as Phillips is out of contract in the summer. [LNB]If a new Blues deal is not forthcoming former England international Phillips maintained he will play on next season, although he insists he will not drop below the Coca-Cola Championship. [LNB]Phillips said: 'It means a lot to get to 250 goals. It has been a great career and it is certainly not over yet. I've built a career on putting the ball away when it comes into the box. [LNB]Carry on Kevin: Phillips will play on for at least another season[LNB]'You don't just lose that overnight. I will lose my legs eventually. I am not a player who will run past players at pace. [LNB]'But, give me the ball in the box, and I'd like to think a good percentage of the time, I'll put it in the back of the net. [LNB]'Someone said to me, who is well respected in the game, that you want to play at the highest level as long as you can. It is easier to go down than to come back up. [LNB]'I won't be one of those players in three or four years time who will still be playing in the lower divisions. The Championship is as far down as I would go.' [LNB]Phillips is to take the first steps towards moving into coaching although he is adamant that he wants to continue playing for the 2010-2011 campaign. [LNB]The former Sunderland player said: 'I'm going to start my coaching badges in a couple of weeks. I think it is important I get them on board. [LNB]'You just never know, you might get a call at the end of the season to become a player coach. 'As long as you've got the qualifications, then I would look at that although I'm not saying I'd definitely do it. [LNB]'At this stage of my career, I just want to concentrate on playing for next season. I am definitely going to play on for another season. [LNB]'I feel fit to play on for another year or two, definitely another year. I'm not ready to retire yet.' [LNB] Birmingham 1 Arsenal 1: Wenger loses the plot after Phillips' late freak goalArsene Wenger can't forgive Martin Taylor for horror tackle on EduardoArsenal eye move for Cole after West Ham give Gunners first optionBIRMINGHAM CITY FC
