I never knew what grief felt like... I do now

Keeper tells of agony over grandad's death as he targets cup victory in his memory

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HEARTBROKENSt Mirren keeper Shamal George is desperate to win the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday for his late grandad.The Buddies chalked up their first league win since the end of September and first victory for eight games as they dumped Dundee United in Paisley on Saturday afternoon.

George saved his club with a couple of oustanding saves when Zac Sapsford was clean through in goal in the first half.

He then made an even better stop when he flung himself to tip an Amar Fatah effort wide with United desperately searching for a way back into the game.

But as he reflected on the hard-fought victory, the fomer Livingston shot-stopper revealed his secret heartache after the passing of grandfather Bill.

A goal in each half from Conor McMenamin and sub Keanu Baccus secured a morale-boosting win for Stephen Robinson's men ahead of their date with destiny at Hampden.

And George - who came through the ranks at Liverpool - is hoping to use his grandfather as an inspiration for the final with Celtic.

The Englishman said: "I've had a few off-the-pitch things, I lost someone close to me and I've been playing throughout.

"I don’t want to use that excuse because my performances haven't been what they were before he passed away.