Source: Team_Talk
Safari trip pays off for Killen
The New Zealand striker scored his first competitive goal for almost two years during Sunday's SPL win over Hearts at Parkhead and is set to lead the line in Wednesday night's Co-Operative Insurance Cup third-round tie at Falkirk.
However, when the former Hibernian striker was sent on loan to Norwich in January it looked like was on his way out of Parkhead permanently.
A knee injury cut short his stay in Norfolk and brought an end to his season under former Hoops manager Gordon Strachan.
Killen, 27, spent the summer in rehabilitation to give himself a chance under new boss Tony Mowbray, and part of that process took place during a trip to South Africa with the New Zealand national team where they trained against an unusual backdrop.
"New Zealand took the national team players to a safari camp in South Africa to prepare us for the World Cup qualifiers and that was great for me," Killen said.
"I knew I couldn't afford to take the summer off and not train because I'd missed too much playing time due to a knee operation that wrecked my stay on loan at Norwich City.
"I wanted to be sharp when pre-season training began with Celtic and I found myself training in the middle of nowhere with rhinos and elephants for company.
"My contract expires at the end of the season but I won't be shouting about wanting a new deal. I need to earn the right to a new agreement. That means I need game time and goals for Celtic.
I'd love to stay because I think it's brilliant at a club like Celtic."
Falkirk v Celtic To Score 4+ Goals: Celtic 9/2
