Max Kucheriavyi opens up on Ukraine sleepless nights as St Johnstone starlet reveals heartwarming Scottish support

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