I’d love to go back to Hampden when it’s full to Max
Ukrainian has fond memories at park but is yet to play there
Max Kucheryavyi has savoured unbridled success at Hampden – without EVER getting on the pitch.
Now the Ukrainian youngster wants to get there as a player and help Falkirk create history.
The on- loan St Johnstone midfielder has enjoyed several trips to the National Stadium.
He was part of the Perth side’s squad for the 2021 Scottish Cup Final triumph against Hibs and watched Callum Davidson’s side become legends.
And he has also been in Glasgow suppor t ing his country, firstly at Euro 2020 when Ukraine’s sensational extra-time victory over Sweden sealed a quarter-final spot.
Then in an emotional World Cup play- off against Scotland last summer when Oleksandr Zinchenko inspi red the Ukrainians to a 3-1 win over Steve Clarke’s side.
Kucheryavyi loves going to
Hampden but if the Bairns can beat Ayr United tomorrow night in the Scottish Cup, he’ ll be going back with a far bigger role to play.
The talented 20-year-old, who has impressed for John McGlynn’s side, said: “It’s a great opportunity to get to Hampden.
“We need to produce a good performance and back it up with a win.
“It’s always great to go there and it would mean a lot to me.
“I’ve seen a lot of games there, with big crowds. It’s a sell- out ever y t ime teams go to Hampden.
“In your career you won’t get there too often, especially as a foreigner. So it would be special if we get there.
“I’ve been to Hampden before but never played on the pitch.
“I was in the stands to see Ukraine play Scotland and against Sweden at Euro 2020.
“I was also there for the Cup final with St Johnstone. Those were a few days to remember.
“But I want to be there as a player and not just as a fan.
“I was part of the St Johnstone squad at the time but not part of that victory.
“It was great for the boys and I was so happy for them.
“But I didn’t feel like I belong to that success because I wasn’t playing.
“I can take a step to creating my own success on Monday. It’s a great game to look forward to.
“The Falkirk fans are amazing, they give us so much support and they’ve shown a lot of love for me. I want to make those supporters happy.”
When you watch Kucheryavyi play, it’s impossible not to make comparisons to Zinchenko.
Of course, the Arsenal star – a Premier League winner with Manchester City – is operating on a different level.
But the Falkirk kid has a cultured left-foot, a calmness on the ball and can play wide on the left or inside. For now, he’s just concentrating on being himself and progressing his playing career.
He said: “Zinchenko is a great player, very composed. He has great technical ability and is one of Ukraine’s best players.
“I can learn a lot from him but you can only try to be better er every day and d I want to constantly improve.
“I just play the way I see football and the way the manager er wants me to play. ay.
“I’ ll leave it to the fans and others iff theyh see any similarities between us.
“I try to show composure on the ball. It’s my job to dictate the game and calm my team-mates down.
“I need to help them and make sure they’re in good positions.
“I try to pass and move the ball to open up the team we’re playing against.”
Kucheryavyi played six times for St Johnstone this term in the Premiership and Viaplay Cup, with his last outing against Celtic at McDiarmid Park. He believes he can play in the topp flightg but insists his only focus is on helping McGMcGlynn’s League OnOne side achieve sosomething special in the Cup. He said: “I can’t ththink about St JoJohnstone – that wowould be unfair to my Falkirk teammatesmates, the coaches and especiallespecially the fans.
“My onlyl goal is to be as good as I possibly can be for this club. “Of course, Hampden would be a great stage to show what I can do.
“But Ayr are a good team and it won’t be easy. We just want to win and give our fans something to cheer about.”
Ina you care er to won Ham
’tget too pden often