Max joins Sergei Baltacha to meet Ukrainian kids in London

Midfielder Max Kucheriavyi travelled down south recently to visit Ukrainian children at a football club called Inter London.

Max, who started our William Hill Premiership match against Rangers on Sunday, shared his experiences and offered words of encouragement.

Also in attendance was St Johnstone great Sergei Baltacha, who starred for the club in the early 1990s and is still fondly remembered by all at McDiarmid Park.

“It’s a football club called 'Inter London' for Ukrainian kids,” Max explained of his visit. “Most of them are refugees and were forced to leave their homes when the war started.

“I found out about this club through my coach. We planned my visit closer to springtime, but then an opportunity arose earlier and we organised everything very quickly.

“It’s important that the kids get all the support they need and have as many positive emotions as possible in this difficult time.

“And Inter London has not only sporting, but a big social role in their lives. The people who organised it are doing a great job with such a little resource.

“I went there to show that these young people are not alone in a different country and that they can achieve all their dreams if they make small steps towards them consistently. I think it was a great way to start this year off for the kids and for me too.”

Max had previously spoken to Sergei on the phone and added: “It was very nice to meet Sergei in person for the first time. Even after my visit we’ve already had a couple of conversations on many different topics.

“He’s a very humble, kind and warm person with great compassion and sympathy for young generation and I’m sure he’ll help these kids a lot with all his experience.

“I’m aware that he was at St Johnstone for few seasons but I didn’t know exactly how many games he had played for the club.

“However, everyone who has ever spoken to me about him said that he’s one of - if not the - greatest players in history of the club. He was very positive about Geoff Brown and some of his team-mates who he keeps in touch with to this day. He still remembers Perth really well too.”