NEW signing Max Kucheriavyi is being offered support by Kelty Hearts following the invasion of his Ukrainian homeland.

The 19-year-old joined the club last month on loan from St Johnstone and made his debut as a substitute, winning a late penalty to give them a 1-0 midweek derby win over Cowdenbeath on February 22.

Two days after that match, Russia invaded Ukraine where Kucheriavyi, who also started in Saturday's win over the Blue Brazil, has family outside Kyiv.

Saints boss Callum Davidson said he and the Perth club had spoken to the teenager to offer support, which is being reciprocated by Kelty.

Kevin McDonald, Hearts assistant manager, said: "His family are back in Ukraine and he stays in a flat in Perth with one of the St Johnstone players. I'd imagine it is a bit worrying for him at the minute, but he seems in good fettle.

"I know obviously St Johnstone will be looking after him and Kelty keep asking if everything's ok, and if they can do anything for him.

"We'll just need to keep an eye on him and make sure everything's fine."

Solidarity with Ukraine has been evidenced across the football community over the course of the weekend, with showing off the country's yellow and blue flag to show their support.

"You see it in the elite level of the Premier League, you see all the Ukrainian players there, and he can only take something from that, that everybody's there for them," McDonald continued.

"We'll do anything we can to help him."

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Kelty are 11 points clear at the top of League Two – with two games in hand over nearest challengers Annan - after another derby win over Cowdenbeath, their fourth of the season. 

McDonald said: "The next couple of weeks, because we're playing so many games in a short space of time, we'll maybe have a better idea in a fortnight of where we are and how close we actually are or if it's going to go to the wire.

"I think the next three or four games are absolutely massive in terms of a defining moment of the season."