The Perth sporting community has come out in support for St Johnstone’s young Ukrainian star Max Kucheriavyi and his home country.
Saints showed their support during the midweek clash with Rangers as Perth captain Liam Gordon wore a yellow and blue armband with the squad number 32.
The highly rated 19-year-old midfielder Max, who is on loan to Kelty Hearts, has family living near the under-siege capital Kyiv.
He was previously on loan at Brechin City after signing a three-year contract at McDiarmid last summer.
In a poignant gesture, the teenager also wrapped himself in a Ukrainian flag as he sat in the main stand looking on in the 1-0 loss to Rangers. A club spokesman said skipper Gordon was wearing the armband to “show that we stand united with the people of Ukraine and number 32 represents our own young Max Kucheriavyi, who has family in Kyiv.”
Trackside advertising also carried messages of support for Ukraine.
Saints manager Callum Davidson previously confirmed the club was doing all they could to rally round and support Kucheriavyi.
“It puts into a different perspective when you see things like that, what’s going on over there, which is not acceptable,” said Davidson.
Community football club Letham FC has teamed up with the teenager to help raise funds to support people in his Ukrainian homeland. The club, which has junior, amateur and age-group teams, formed a link with the player as he has been living close to its Seven Acres pitch and training ground.
Letham club secretary Jon Kidd said he had been contacted by Max and asked if the club could support his efforts to raise money for the war-torn country.
The GoFundMe page that has been set up has raised over £400 so far.
In an open letter to club members, Jon said: “As some of you may know Max is a 19-year-old Ukrainian national and a St Johnstone player who is originally from Kyiv.
“As such he has family and friends at home who are caught up in the horrible situation there.
“Max got in touch with me to ask if I could help to get the word out about some fundraising he is doing for charities back home in the Ukraine.
“Max has decided to try and fundraise for the charities back home to allow him to focus on helping in any way he can.
“He reached out to ask if anyone would be willing to share or donate to the GoFundMe he has setup. I agreed to send a message round and see if we can drum up support for his campaign.
“This young lad is here alone – not knowing what horrors his friends and family are facing back home – and he’s doing his best to keep it together and I think that’s very admirable.
“All funds he raises will go to charities in the Ukraine to help the victims of this war.”
Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/jdyud2-help-back-home
