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Celtic Diary Wednesday May 9: It’s A No From UEFA

The diary is a little late today to allow everyone a chance to read the thank you from the team at the foodbanks.

So, go back and read it if you haven’t already.

I’ll wait.

Then pop to the shop with your list in hand and get a few things to drop off before the game.

 

And if you have a few quid over from that, you could maybe send it over to Ibrox. It looks like they need it.

Phils Found Something Out

So, on behalf of football supporters everywhere, here’s a big thank you to whoever it was at the SFA that left that little note on the application for a UEFA licence from “rangers “..

Image result for big thank you gif

We actually got a copy of it..

Have a look at these accounts. It’s a pisser

the reply was

No shit. Leave it with me

Maybe we now have an explanation for all the bluster from Dave King that has been in the papers of late.

Maybe now we have an explanation for the resignation of Murray and Scott last week.

And maybe now just might be the right time to bring out the Compliance Report.

Of course, our media will be right on this story…

Image result for hiding gif

Actually, maybe they were, but missed a chance to elaborate…

They could start with looking at what UEFA said last year, but they couldn’t  follow it up because every time they began to discuss it, the result against Progres Neidercorn came up and the room dissolved into laughter.

Actually, it was that defeat that rendered further investigation unnecessary but a warning flag had been raised. To cover themselves, the SFA mentioned that things weren’t any better this season, and handed the baton to UEFA.

This time, it seems, there is an influence for the force of good within the walls of Hampden.

Oh…the summmer is here, there’s not a cloud in the sky. 

“rangers ” aren’t well, and I think they’re gonna die...

( from the unpublished ” Serves the Bastards right “, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, or Lennon and McCartney. Or that bloke that wrote White Christmas. )

Oh, before I forget, Steven Gerrard wants to know if anyone has Dave Kings new phone number. all he keeps getting is a dead line.

 

But enough of that for now.

We’ll have all summer to talk about their latest demise.

 

There are two games left to go in the league. Tonight Celtic host Kilmarnock and perhaps one or two fringe players will get a run out.

Karamoke Dembele got a shot in the under 20s the other day, and perhaps one or two from the under 20s will get a shot in the first team.

Rodgers did hint at some personnel changes, but with so many fringe players needing game time, the youngsters may have to wait..

“We’ve got the possibilities to do a number of things. Leigh will be back in training after tonight’s game.

“Moussa’s great. Obviously, you’ve got to think between now and the Final. But we’ve got other options, like James Forrest can play up there as he did in the Champions League qualifiers. Patrick Roberts has played up there for a few games.” 

No recognised striker tonight ?

All we need now is for someone to forget to water the pitch and we’ll have to ban rodgers from talking to Craig Levein.

Ah, Levein.

He really is winning over our hearts and minds, isn’t he ?

After Rodgers criticised the pitch at Tynecastle… and how that sort of thing hampers development of players..

Scotland haven’t qualified (for a major finals) for 20-odd years and we’re trying to develop players and a product here to move the game on.” 

Levein hurled his toys out of his pram and retorted;

“I never knew it was as simple as that. So if we cut all the grass short, then we’ll go to the finals? Brilliant. Why did nobody think of that? That’s just unbelievable.” 

Well, its better than anything he tried when he was in charge of the national team…

The development of players for me is about giving them the opportunity to play – much, much more than the length of the grass. That is a serious comment. 

Bobby Burns, for example, is 18 years of age. Some clubs in this country have got fantastic players at 18, 19, 20 and never play. They go and get loan players from elsewhere, who are the same age – and don’t play their own kids.

“That’s what hampers Scotland’s development.

“I make no excuses for trying to win the game. It’s just a nonsense. They actually won the game as well. God forbid … what would have happened if they had lost?”

“I spoke to Brendan for 20 minutes after the game and he never mentioned it. There were no complaints about the grass.

“If you want to talk about evening up the playing field then maybe if he brought a team along that earned the same money as our players then that would be fair. 

“The pitch was alright. There was plenty of grass on it. I wish I could be in a position where that’s the only thing I had to worry about. It was miles better than when they were last here in the 4-0 game. I’m gutted about ripping it up now!” 

It goes without saying that Levein didn’t see anything wrong with Steven Naismiths tackles on Scott Brown and James Forrest, and he vowed to fight any charges that might come his players way.

Knob of the Week is going to be a tricky one this week, isn’t it ?

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe one or two players will get a chance to say cheerio before heading off to sunnier climes…

After all, if you believe the papers Celtic are having a fire sale this summer.

Calum MacGregor, the “water carrier ” of the team, has worked hard to make himself a first pick, and so he’s been handed over to the sports desks and advertised down south.

Bournemouth and Watford, two giants of the English league, are reported as being ready to offer £10m for the player, which now means the whole first team could be sold, raising quite a few quid and enabling the owners and the board to run off into the sunset with the money.

But Celtic do not need to sell. Least of all the players who form that Scottish core to the side that will help to lift them a level up in Europe. Players such as MacGregor, Brown, Forrest and Tierney wear the club badge with pride, and will go that extra mile when the chips are down.

That element cannot be taught. But it can be encouraged.

 

There will be  an envious mind on the other side of the river, or the other side of the world, depending on where the Ibrox owner has gone, an  owner there can only dream of raiding a supporters group for his summer spendies, which of course he has no intention of doing.

He wants them to give it to him. Then he’ll run off with it.

He’ll tell them its for their own good, and all they will care about is their new manager…

Then again, they live in an alternative world..

Er, yes, yes it will.

Image result for insanity gif

And thats the money thats supposed to be used to get them that UEFA licence…

Then again, things don’t always turn out the way you want them to..

It was twenty years ago today, 

The huns didn’t get their way, and they all went home to beat their wives. 

(From Serves the Bastards Right, as mentioned above )

There’s a podcast on this site where we talk to Tom Boyd about that day,and the week leading up to it. If you fancy a trip down memory lane, take it with Tom….

Image result for tommy boyd celtic

Twenty years ago…is it really that long. Has time passed us by so quickly, so unmercifully, and taken my hairline with it ?

Mind you, I don’t suppose I should complain. during the intervening years, thousands of people had their club taken from them.

 

As we said yesterday, Celtic’s plans to strengthen are already at an advanced stage, and noting that we’d let the cat out of the bag, manager Brendan Rodgers realised there was no point in trying to hide it , so he gave us all an update..

Peter Lawwell has met with PSG and talks are ongoing, so I’m hoping we can come to an agreement.

“I know the boy is happy and PSG have enjoyed watching him develop here. It would be great if we could get this one done.

“He’s struggling to play again this season. We hoped that it was maybe a cramp, but it’s looking worse than that so it’s highly unlikely that he’ll feature again.”

 

We’re conscious that at times Celtic will sell players, but we’re trying to keep the core group of players because there’s a lot of work’s gone into that in the last couple of years.

“We’ve been trying to create an identity. The players will have been loving this success. Of course, there will be one or two who may look at other needs, which you can understand.

“But going forward, we want to keep improving. It’s a difficult market, it’s good to bring in players who are going to be better than we have. But that’s big, big money.

“However, we have to find that way to do that and that’s something we’ll look to do and work’s been ongoing for a while.”

The word on the street is that the £6m barrier for buying players will be broken, not just to take the piss out of a club who desperately need £6m to get a UEFA licence and pay off a few bills, but because thats the park Rodgers wants to play in.

And it could be broken more than once….

Image result for peter lawwell money

Rodgers  knows that he won’t replace the players he has with the money he’ll get for them, and amidst what he said above is , for me, the key to why he is still at Celtic, and why he won’t be going anywhere any time soon…

 we’re trying to keep the core group of players because there’s a lot of work’s gone into that in the last couple of years. 

Image result for cheering gif

Finally, proof that there is an interest in moving up a level, and not just developing players to sell on. sure, there has to be a balance, but retaining the core and bringing in better players around them could well be the key to European success.

Remember how we used to sell our top players, and then start over…maybe not any more. Quality replacements where needed, and that means there is a genuine ambition to take the club where the fans want it to be.

Image result for nodding gif

 

Now then, you may condemn me for this, but I’m going to do it anyway… because we’d moan about it if it was us, and I’d rather the problem was sorted before it affects us…

  Retweeted

. this is a disgrace. This is what our fans will have in the final. You are killing football, by preventing fans from attending. Hang your heads in shame. 

Hey and these guys know all about shame…

 This is 9,000 out of 60,000 seats . Never heard of a final with fewer actual fans going. 

Since this appears to be gaining some traction amongst fans from other clubs, I thought I add this point: Moves like the above are short-sighted by UEFA. Part of the attraction of football for the corporations are the fan noise, tifo, atmosphere. Kill that and you kill the $$$ 

Its an excellent point, and something that we should support should a campaign begin.

Another thing to get your teeth into… remember Glasgow councils idea to ban parking in the area around Celtic Park…

To object to parking proposals email: saferparking-celticpark@glasgow.gov.uk Objections must be received by Friday 1 June 2018 

Object in writing to A Waddell, Head of Land and Environmental Services, Exchange House, 231 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RX by Fri, Jun 1 

Be firm, but polite.

Meanwhile, Harry Brady on twitter tells us of some work being done at the ground, and its not just a wee tidy up and a lick of paint either..

Major Upgrades coming to Celtic Park this summer;

The new hybrid pitch will be completed to provide the best playing surface in Scotland

New PA system able to go above our record breaking

New LED floodlights across all 4 stands with colour changing options 

 

Yesterday, we had this for you to peruse..

henkesdreadlocks May 8, 2018 at 10:13 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption……..

Today…

 

 

 

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jimmybee
5 years ago

Caption: Stevie you will need to say 5 hail marys 5 our fathers and a glory be for the rest of your life now get up and fuck off ya hun

Snood
5 years ago

Stevie! U look much taller on the telly

James61
5 years ago

Caption
Get up you don’t need to pray the GASL will keep his promises. Hahaha.
HH

onionbhag
5 years ago

“Yes…..6!”

Pat Higney
5 years ago

Caption: Now young Steven, when you get your first manager’s job, this is view you’ll be having every season.

Auldheid
5 years ago

File under Deja Vu

It seems the SFA have finally got the message on UEFA Licence applications from TRFC.

Back in 2011/12 after the 2011 application was granted without proper scrutiny (and only the exit to Malmo and Maribor stopped UEFA having a closer look ) the SFA had a much closer look at the 2012 application and were asking for proof just before Rangers went into liquidation. A lesson learned from then amd perhaps now echoing over the 7 years since.

The significance of a challenge from UEFA is that whilst t5hey can approve a licence they can do so with conditions which if not met to UEFA’s timescale can lead to as much as a three year ban

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43887360

DK’s policy of running up debt to get CL money to pay it off, is exactly the same as that of Sir David Murray and it is a true House of Cards policy for any club doing it, one failure and the house collapses as happened in 2011/12.

This refusal is a key moment for Scottish football and puts DK firmly in his place.

Gerry
5 years ago

Caption:
He’s a glib and shameless liar ya daft cunt!

Pat Higney
5 years ago

Well done again The Celtic fans with their excellent donations to the food banks. I have just returned from donating some shopping at my local food bank and always leave there with an intense sadness that we need them. God bless each and every volunteer, they are truly genuine heroes!

The real Anton Rogan
5 years ago
Reply to  Pat Higney

hear hear

Jas
5 years ago

Caption: Its fckn easy sonny, you have £6m in yer pocket, along comes a glib and shameless liar, he picks yer pocket, result? Nothing left, got it?

5 years ago

Caption…” Listen young Frodo Gerrard, Mordor is a breeze compared to the cesspit they call Ibrox,only the most vile and stench ridden of the Orcs live there”…. HWG10IAR

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

Eventually the lies catch up and the subterfuge becomes seen. The pressure on the SFA from fans groups is also a factor. My belief is that “the rangers” will be denied a UEFA license and the SFA who really ought to knock it on the head prior to it getting to EUFA will say – it was EUFA sorry we can do nothing more thus avoiding the broken windows and bullets in the post treatment. This would also break the newco as there will be no European windfall in any form ( except a payment for Celtics success which they accepted without comment like other Scottish clubs ). Jelly and Ice Cream anyone?

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago

Caption: Much to learn you have

Pat Higney
5 years ago

Caption: Right Steve, those re your knees you are on, the only thing you’ going to be up to in them is shit!

Jim McClure
5 years ago

Caption:

I told you not to shake hands with him, now count your fingers, one, two,…..

Jim

Arsene Parcelie
5 years ago

Caption:
See how many fingers I’m holding up?

…that’s right.

…in a row…

Morto
5 years ago

Caption:
“Ah young Gerdi, chosen wisely you have not, many regrets you will have”.

Mike Annis
5 years ago

Caption: Right Steven, you don’t need to take your sock off to count this. It’s ten, ten in a row. Mind if your new fans see your two sets of six toes you’ll really be accepted.

Thomas Boyle
5 years ago

Caption, By the time you make Sevco a success I won’t be able to count on these hands how many trebles we will have one at Celtic.

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Caption: you’ve been where! Now I’m going to have to wash my hands

HarktheHaraldangelssing
5 years ago
Rebus67
5 years ago

The news on UEFA’s reaction to Sevco’s application is encouraging, but a word of caution. Firstly, Sevco have been reported as being “on the edge” many times before, but, hey, they are still around. Secondly, do we really know the specifics of The licencing body’s concerns? Do we know for sure that they are substantive rather than procedural?

Finally, the tide may be turning against Sevco at UEFA, but they clearly have friends there. Friends who may yet create some twists and turns in this saga. Do not count your chicks yet.

Rebus

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

A comment up on JohnJames site seems to call it out pretty perfect:
To expand…
King is going for the £6m ( mostly from Club1872 no doubts whose funds are of course controlled by JAMES BLAIR – a Club1872 Board member who is a well-connected mate of Kings – James Blair remember that name) and this will be used to reduce current debt to an acceptable to UEFA level at time of license application

He will smile alongside Rangers International Company Secretary (ITS JAMES BLAIR!) and Rangers Football Club Limited Company Secretary ( THATS ALSO JAMES BLAIR!!!) as they see a rush through on this issue through for Europe license but also whilst continuing to stave off Takeover Panel. After share issue, the lncreased shares on market post issue will also then mean possible take-up of any offer is greatly reduced and no need for Dave to fear having to spend his £11m.

A Weasels gonna weasel!

Close Brothers and Takeover Panel could throw some spanners in there off course but the race is defo on!

Rebus67
5 years ago
Reply to  Desi Mond

Desi,

Thanks for pointing me to the Johnjames article. My reading of it is that thr rights issue is vitalto their survival, and not just the licence. They need 6 million to cover estimated operating losses for the upcomming season plus the funds to repay Close. Their actual needs will be higher than this because they have a new mgmt team coming in with associated costs, but this will not concern UEFA. The accumulated debt over three years is an issue for UEFA, hence King’s statement that the loans will not be repaid. He is declaring them as “forgiven”!

So, in theory, if he pulls off the rights issue in June, by September they will satisfy the licence requirements. But will the TOP permit this to happen? In my view the rights issue of anything above 20 p circumvents the mandatory offer. Those that buy for more than 20p will not sell for the lesser amount a couple of months later.

All of this shows how vital it was to maximise season ticket sales in order to reduce pressure on the rights issue.

Still don’t think we have seen everything yet.

Rebus

Admin
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

The workaround to the Takeover Panel permission is that Club1872 who have the money are not legally involved with current problems so can step up with the money.

Legally they are totally separate regardless of the relationships of Mr Blair so Dave can say “nothing to see here!” and in comes the cash.

The slow actions of the Takeover Panel are seeming to help Dave so far and indeed seem rather outstandingly slow but we all know the tortoise actually won the race in the end.

As you note, theres one item behind the scenes that raises a major issue in Daves plan – the need for current Directors giving up all those loans and any subsequent debt to equity options ( would you sacrifice 10s of millions on a verbal promise from Dave King that it would all be ok in the end?)

Will Douglas Park and Co stand by and let Dave get away with it…will they oust him and take control and put money in…either way, the bucks gonna stop at their bank accounts…

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Rebus,JohnJames is definitely the go to site for forensic dissection of all the criminal activity surrounding Sevco,he rips them a new one constantly…….

charlie
5 years ago
Monti
5 years ago

Bus station in St.Andrews has a piano in it, young student guy bashing away at the keys, i said to him….” Do you know the Brendan Rodgers here for 10 in a row song “?
He said in a posh voice ” I’m thorry what wath that”
I replied ” The Bwendan Rodgeth here for then in a wrow thong ”

Much laughter from other passengers…..or should that be pathengerth…..:)

Marty McKerry
5 years ago

“Smell the Glove” 20 years on.

puggy67
5 years ago

Caption: See son it doesn’t matter, even with an orange top you’re still on your knees.

R.St.Parsley
5 years ago

Fair fa’ yer dishonest, wonkie face
Great chieftain o’ the Hunnish race
Aboon them aw ye tak yer place
Green, Whyte an’ Murray
Weel are ye worthy o’ disgrace
For stealin’ money.

Yer empty pockets ye have filled
Afore ye headed for the hills
Leavin’ ahent yer unpaid bills
In time o’ need
While through yer lips ye’ve lies distilled
Tae the undeid.

Mark how the Hun on garbage feeds
The Daily Record’s aw he reads
He disnae ken his auld club’s deid
An’ new yin’s dyin’
The sing’l brain cell in his heid
Has gied up tryin’.

Oh Power, wha hauds fans in yer care
An’ dishes oot their bill o’ fare
Auld Scotia wants tae hear nae mair
O’ sad Huns greetin’
Send us another ‘billionaire’
Tae fund oor cheatin’.

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago
Reply to  R.St.Parsley

Good one Mike.

Mike
5 years ago

Nothing to do with me henke, it certainly was… excellent, well done R. St Parsley.

Norman Singe Nstevas.
5 years ago
Reply to  R.St.Parsley

Spiffing!

Monti
5 years ago

Craig Levein is some guy isn’t he? he has a go at Brendan for not ” developing ” young players and that the long grass at Tynecastle is a tactic he will employ before Celtic visit Tynecastle in the future.
This is the same Levein who when as Scotland manager, set up a side to play WITHOUT a striker…
What did that do for the erm ” decelopment ” of young watching Scotland future players?
As for the length of grass at Tynecastle, surely a perfect pitch, watered and slick would help the home side, not to mention the watching fans? Oh and yes….encourage the young Hearts players to pass quicker, therefore developing their range of passing and improving their control & first touch?

The guy is a fucking idiot!

Rebus67
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

Craig L is one of the reasons that Scottish football fails to move forward. I think he is a systems man and not a good operating manager. In other words, he can organise youth programs and development academies and other systems, but tacticallyhe is limited to smothering strategies. Hearts have gone backwards since they lost whatshisname….two managers ago. Neilson?

We talk about the gap between Celtic and the others……..one aspect of this is the gap in skills. Poorer teams try to nullify this by kicking sh1t out of our players and defending deep. Neither of these things result in improved performance for these teams in Europe.

Rebud

Rebus67
5 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

“rebud” just shows I am your buddy!

Rebus Rebud

Noel Skytrot
5 years ago

Caption…..what did I tell you Steven, what did I say? Kings a lying fucker, no monies coming your way.

henkesdreadlocks
5 years ago

Caption…….

Well Stevie and not something that you’ll ever experience, when you win the league, it’s better than getting your gnads tickled.

portpower
5 years ago

Come on,he`s comin` back with one of they moustaches in a specified fortnight?

King`s a Kunt,so`s sally. Behave and become fully aware once again.

Caption:
If you took The liver bird in the first place the ring wouldn’t’ve of taken that long to melt,fud.

sevco more images FC.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Confirmed team against Killie:

Bain

Hendry Simunovic Ajer Miller

Brown Armstrong McGregor

Forrest Roberts Sinclair

Subs: De Vries, Tierney, Kouassi, Ntcham, Henderson, Rogic, Johnston

Prediction: 2-0 Celts (Forrest & Armstrong)

COYBIG

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

Ewan and I are there. COYBIG.

I`m going to tell Davie King we`ve a pack.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Cheers for the link Port.

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  Yoker Bhoy

G`day Yoker Bhoy.

Start..SOON… then subscribe. If Charlie Saiz?

portpower
5 years ago
Reply to  portpower

Is the grass cut?
Looks like a video game,the link?

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Caption: Body of Christ…..

Mike
5 years ago
Mike
5 years ago

One fur Yoker. Hope you are good mate, all the best and enjoy the game.

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

I’m fine Mikey, good to see you putting up your own sounds at last. I’m a big Donna Summer fan myself, cough. Hope you’re well and look forward to a chat after the gemme, at least if we do ok. The Edinburgh derby should be interesting too. Awra best!!

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

I hope we get to see a decent game C.S although this is all about resting top players and giving fringe players a chance. That front line of Forrest, Roberts and Sinclair worked very well for us a few times last season when both Griff and Moussa were injured so that should be interesting to watch. Cheers for the link btw.

HH

portpower
5 years ago

Beautiful queue-jumpers.SM(Shaun Maloney).

portpower
5 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EO6abKG5Hg

sevconians travel scrabble?

portpower
5 years ago

But there does come a time when you have to hit the ball to the left or the right of the keeper. Usually if you mention it we score though.

portpower
5 years ago

Green green grass is goin` in my bong to watch this…

rebus67
5 years ago

Killie have Celtic’s number so far. It will be very difficult if our FBs do not try to get past a man. Both Miller and Hendry continually do Killie’s job for them by passing the ball backwards. Hendry is particularly prone to this and also to being drawn out of position. Roberts is hardly getting the ball which is a big negative.

Rebus

portpower
5 years ago

Did I just see 1IAR Bench Boyd?

portpower
5 years ago

Figure out who in defence is going to try and do every thing for the opposition and pressure him into the box.

rebus67
5 years ago

Big changes needed for the second half. Roberts is isolated and is too good to not be involved. Hendry is one of Killies best defenders. Every time he gets the ball with space in front of him, he passes it back. His positioning is very poor and Brown is covering for him. Miller is more in the game now as is Sinclair. This game looks like a 1-0 to either team. Let’s see what happens. Please let us see some balls over the top of the Killie defence. They can be turned.

Jozo top man in the first half. His goal was disallowed because Hendry pulled a jersey as the free kick was taken.

Rebus

rebus67
5 years ago

Predictable end to the game 0-0. Celtic huffed and they puffed but they could not blow the Killie house down. Very few chances created in total, but all but one fell to Celtic.

Henderson looks like real potential. If that was PR’s last game for us, it is a pity for him to go out on such a dull match.

Hendry had a couple of chances from headers which upped his contribution to the game, but I am left wondering why we spent over a million on a player that was released by Wigan a short time ago.

Good to see Miller and Henderson get outings.

Rebus

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Simunovic and Ajer looking solid in central defence, admittedly without much to do. Huge difference between the quality of Scott B’s distribution and big Craig’s but we knew that anyway. Not enough cutting edge up front although we completely dominated towards the end and carved out a couple of chances. Poor refereeing and disappointing result but it matters not. A good run out for a couple of our youngsters. The oncoming Aberdeen game will be equally meaningless so I expect more squad rotation with an eye on the cup final. Bad news re the Edinburgh derby but it’s nice to read that Alex Ferguson has come out of intensive care and should be on the mend.

HH

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

Yoker Bhoy
5 years ago

jimmybee
5 years ago

Disapointing night. No one really taking the game by the scruff of the neck but it does show why you need quality strikers.
I thought Brendan would have changed it a little with even ajer going up front second half to give us a target man. Clarke once again got his tactics bang on.
Bad night for Lenny wouldnt bet against sevco beating them now with nothing for the hibees to play for. The sheep would need to beat us fuck them who cares whos second 🙂

5 years ago

They’ll qualify for Europe anyway (hibs) unless Motherwell pull off a miracle.

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