Greg's Dad defeated by cancer

Shields talks about losing his greatest supporter:- "It still feels like he has just gone away on holiday, it hasn't really sunk in yet even though we had the funeral last Monday."

The knee injury to Scott Wilson meant that Greg Shields replaced his skipper at half time in Tuesday night's home league match against Dundee. It heralded an earlier return than Greg had anticipated since he only returned to training on Friday after losing his father on the day of the Club's cup replay against Aberdeen. He talked about his sad loss and his ways of coping:-

"It is the first time that I have had to deal with something like that and it is emotionally draining. My granddad has died before but never anyone as close as your dad. I just wanted to make sure that my mum was OK after the funeral - she seems to be fine despite the fact it would have been their anniversary on Wednesday."

Greg's father, Sandy, was off the drugs and chemotherapy since early December and he went off to Tenerife in January. On his return from the sun Greg and his older sister noticed a deterioration in their father. After that Sandy, who was only 61, went downhill fast making the final four weeks extremely hard for Greg.

"It was lung cancer he had and it had spread to his brain. You don't want your dad to die but given the condition he was in it was best for him. Before the Aberdeen match I got called away from the Club to the hospital."

Greg was aware of his father's illness from the time of the St Johnstone match at McDiarmid Park in August and it came as a shock to the Pars defender who was extremely upset by the diagnosis.

"I relate cancer with death and in this case it has been. So many people survive it but I didn't fully understand the ins and outs of it. Now you realise what you are up against, some cancers you cannot survive. It was so hard because you always believe that he is going to get better."

A respite allowed Sandy to enjoy Christmas with his family but Greg had the lingering thought that this could be their last one together.

"He had his birthday on 8th January and looking back, that was his best time - about five weeks after his treatment. I sometimes ask myself if he knew that was going to be his last Christmas as well. He was living in hope and was always the most positive of guys. Even in his hospital bed he was sitting up saying 'I am up for it, give me all your medicine that you can give me'. They just never worked."

Greg's father was his greatest supporter, taking him down the park to play with the older boys and following him to Gairdoch Boys Club at Carronshore. Greg's young career then took him to Salveson in Edinburgh before his father's dream was realised as Greg joined Rangers.

"I never realised how much that meant to him. It still feels like he has just gone away on holiday, it hasn't really sunk in yet even though we had the funeral last Monday."

Even in such sad personal circumstances Greg was pleased to see his team mates, and in particular those taking his place in defence that night, doing so well at Aberdeen. Greg was aware that Jim McIntyre immediately dedicated the cup win to the Shields family:-

"I watched the game and I think I was sliding along on my knees when Baynee scored the winner. I always wondered how people coped with those close to them contracting cancer. You don't understand how they can go through that; one in four are affected now. I never really appreciated getting flowers but now I can appreciate that simple touch, the cards and those who took the time out to talk to us, I can only thank them."

Greg reflected that he has had a good career in football and his father had enjoyed it with him. He travelled far to watch him play including the UEFA Cup match in Gothenburg where Greg's father and uncle soaked up all the pre match atmosphere with supporters from Kincardine.

"My dad was a football punter and he loved it. He was one of those guys who stands up and gives the referee pelters. I am quite sure he gave all the players pelters too, including me! The most honest person you can ask how you have done after a game is your dad; now he is not going to be there to tell me." Greg's mum goes to all his matches and so now she will have to assume that role.

"I felt tired against Dundee. Mentally and emotionally it is draining. You have just got to get on with it because you can't really take time off in the job that we are in. That probably helps you and the boys are quite funny reminding me about my dad on my stag do.

" When something like that happens you think life is going to stop but it doesn't stop. It goes on and I have to get back into it."