St Johnstone starlet Max Kucheriavyi has opened up in his fears for his family and friends stuck in war-ravaged Ukraine.
And the teenage ace, currently on loan at Kelty Hearts, admitted football and the warmth of the Scottish football community is helping him get through the torment.
Kucheriavyi has family in the under-siege capital Kyiv and friends close to the border with neighbours Russia who have invaded the country.
And the 19-year-old, speaking to Saints TV, said: “I’m concerned with everything going on back home. I am sleeping much less than I normally do but can’t and won’t complain.
“My family had to leave their home in Kyiv. They moved not too far but still to a safer place.
“Fortunately they had a chance to leave Kyiv but a lot of people didn’t have the chance.
“I know people who had to sleep in bunkers, who don’t have heating and electricity and in some areas they don’t have internet or phone connection and can’t get in touch with their families.
“I’m in touch with my family all day long and in touch with a lot of people back home from different areas, cities in Ukraine, and even in touch with Ukrainian people in Poland who do a lot of volunteer stuff and help women and kids who cross the border.
“I’ve got friends from east Ukraine and one of my big friends is from Mariupol which is close to Donetsk and in Mariupol it’s a humanitarian catastrophe.
“Fortunately my friend could leave the city but his family are still there and they get in touch with him very rarely as there is no internet.
“My other friend is stuck in the training ground with his team-mates and they don’t have any heating or electricity and food is finishing and it’s hard to give them any humanitarian help.
“They don’t want to stop shooting people and it’s so hard for them. Hopefully it can stop soon and the government can arrange some corridors for civilians who want to lead their normal lives but can’t.
“I’ve always been proud to be Ukrainian but the country is more united than it’s ever been and Ukrainian people all over the world try to help as much as they possibly can.”
Kucheriavyi was wrapped in his country’s flag as he watched Saints' clash against Rangers last week.
Skipper Liam Gordon also wore a yellow and blue captain’s armband and the youngster said: “The club have given me all the support they could and if I need to talk to someone or ask someone for anything they will be there and try to help me.
“It’s harder than it normally is but football is the only thing that can get me away from my phone and stop thinking about the war back home.
“It’s really nice to see the support from Scottish football and I feel the support from people in Scotland and the people of Ukraine feel it from all over the world.
“I believe that now we are stronger than we have ever been. We are united and I know when it stops we will be even stronger and we will build the best Ukraine, we will build our future and the next generation will live the best possible way.”
