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Celtic Diary Thursday September 27: What They Did This Summer

First though, a much improved Celtic overcame a stuffy St Johnstone side to secure a League cup semi final tie with Hearts.

Leigh Griffiths pounced with just a few minutes to go after Celtic had dominated the game, and this time it can be said that persistence paid off.

And there was a hug from his manager for doing it…

 

There was more urgency about the team, which reverted to high pressing and a little more adventure up front. This got better in the second half as the players became a little more familiar with the style that had deserted them during the last few weeks.

and Lewis morgan seemed a lot more confident than he did on sunday. This boy can play a bit. Scott Sinclair should be concerned.

There was a hunger about them that hadn’t been there before, so much so, in fact, that a frustrated Dedryck Boyata got himself sent off for dissent, which at least gave the referee something to smile about.

He hasn’t been happy since a fan ran on the pitch at Ibrox to stop him attacking Scott Brown.

Image result for john beaton dedryck boyata

He doesn’t like Celtic, does he ?

If you watch the incident again, Beaton appears to tell Scott Brown to calm him down, clearly mouthing “i’m gonna send him off. ” Yet as Brown pushes Boyata away, it’s actually the referee who loses control and reaches for the red.

The way he spoke to Boyata is not the way a professional should speak to another professional. to my mind, Boyata had every right to give it back.

Did he say “Come here..now !”-as a teacher would speak to a naughty child, or was it the infinitely more offensive “come here , boy ” ?

But rules are rules, for some clubs at least, and it was a sending off.

The match statistics show that Celtic have at least started the journey back to being Celtic, whilst , if you look at the fouls awarded, Beaton is still being consistently Beaton.

This leaves Celtic a little short handed at the back for the Hearts game in October, which will be played on the weekend after Celtic travel to Leipzig in the Europa League.

Clearly the SPFL hadn’t thought this through when arranging the fixtures, and as “rangers ” are in action on the Thursday as well, that means both semi finals will have to be played on the Sunday, and the terms of lease with Hampden mean they both have to be played there.

The latest information we have is that the Celtic game will be moved to the Friday lunchtime, or that the “rangers ” tie will be moved to Ibrox.

 

Now, settle back and I’ll tell you whats been going on back at the ranch.

After a few weeks of hearing this, and hearing that, our pish stained mole has sat down and correlated old information with new, and we can now exclusively reveal what the real issues were at Celtic Park during the last month or two.

Most of it you already know, but this should fill in a few gaps.

Brendan Rodgers had a few ideas for this season. one of which was to pair Oddsone Edouard with Moussa Dembele. Had Dembele given any indication he wanted to leave, this would not have happened, and the player would have been sold earlier in the window, to provide funds for his replacement.

Rogic was secured on a long term deal, Tierney was persuaded to stay, although it didn’t take much. But Celtic were happy to sell, which annoyed the manager almost as much as when tierney had his head turned.

It looked like the rug was being pulled from under his feet, and it was about to get worse.

 

Then came the Piccini incident. Rodgers, who was about to take a break, personally brokered a deal for the right back, only to find out he’d been gazumped. this annoyed him, more so when he found out that it was Peter Lawwell who had vetoed the deal, refusing to pay the &m euros up front that the manager had agreed with Sporting lisbon, who needed the money.

After that, either the club refused to allow him to be his own man in negotiations, or he felt there was little point.

Apart from Edoaurd, there was no more activity from Rodgers, Arzani was purely down to Lawwell. Its why Brendan, at the moment, isn’t really considering him for selection.

Add that to the missing players list, where Lawwell didn’t even make enquiries about three names on the managers list, and its not difficult to see why, after a lot of thought, Rodgers handed in his notice at the windows end.

Moussa Dembele wanted out, and if you remember , tweeted that rodgers had broken a promise. that promise wasn;t what we thought it was-a refusal to sell him if a decent offer came in-it was that Brendan had promised he’d be here long term, and Dembele figured that if Brendan was going, he was too.

Olivier Ntcham came to Celtic specifically to play under Rodgers. Suddenly, we’re telling him he can’t go to Porto, amid rumours that he wants out. So he took the huff as well. He seemed better last night…

Enter Dermot Desmond, and at a Dublin meeting, Rodgers was persuaded to stay on, but it was clear to everyone that his heart wasn’t in it, and as a result, the players were losing interest.

Filip Benkovic, especially, decided he didn’t want to play on the Rugby Park surface, and he got his way.

He’s not the first to choose his games of late, but he will be the last, well, the last who gets away with it.

 

Last Monday, at another meeting, this time in London, Lawwell, Rodgers and Desmond got around the table again, and judging from the press conference before last nights game-notice it was Brendan and not Chris Davies who chaired it, , all is now well.

Compare a post Kilmarnock Rodgers to a pre St Johnstone one.

The fire had returned to Rodgers’s eyes, and the players responded accordingly last night.

Leigh Griffiths’s winner not only secured a place in the League cup semi final, but it may also have been psychologically at least, the goal that won the third treble…

Celtic are back, and although last night wasn’t perfect, the attitude was.

 

Some of you may read that and decide its all bollocks.

Some of it might be.

Some of it might not be.

I’ve sifted through what we’ve been hearing, and this is a fairly credible narrative based on several different sources.

When applied to the events of the last few weeks or so, it does kind of make sense though…

One more thing, you’ll note that since this story begins, only Leigh Griffiths has actually signed a new deal, largely because he doesn’t care who is in charge. In fact, one could argue that he and the manager didn;t see eye to eye…until last night…

There may also be something in the offer that was on the table from China. Or it may be a combination of the two.

Apparently, Rodgers was offered £8m up front to go there, however, since the morelas bids i’m sceptical of these stories.

But, the man himself did say…

Since I’ve been at Celtic the last couple of years I’ve had a few offers, so that’s no different to any of the others. 

My focus is very much on Celtic and being here. And trying to help us rise to the challenge of this season. There’s nothing more really to say on that.

“What you know with China is that it’s an awful lot of money. But I’ve found happiness here and I spoke with the owners of the club and the board and we found an agreement and we move on. 

On Monday ?

“I’ve had other opportunities, but I’ve still got this year and another two years on my contract and unless they get fed up with me or something else happens I’m very privileged to be here.’

For the first time in a while, I’m now confident that we are going to have a great season.

Everyone is now committed.

It might take a couple of games to get back up to speed, but at least now we are going in the right direction.

 

 

By the way, if you are going to Salzburg, Anthony Joseph on twitter has this news for you..

FAO Celtic fans travelling to Salzburg next week. Sections 23/24/25 in the South (Sud) Stand are “neutral” and FC Salzburg have said Celtic supporters will be welcome in these areas and can wear colours. Official away section is in orange.

Celtic fans can buy tickets in these areas for 30 euros each from FC Salzburg’s official website. Match tickets include free bus and train travel, within Salzburg, to and from the Red Bull Arena – from six hours before KO until the end of service. 

Yesterday, we had this rather disturbing image..

 

Southside Bhoy September 26, 2018 at 10:16 am · Edit · Reply →

At the end of the recent Brexit negotiation, Prime Minister Theresa May tells the Cabinet she’s blown it.

 

Today…

Image result for boyata sending off

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Devoy45
5 years ago

Ralph, I believe your account. It explains a lot. Last night, I thought there was something different in the way we played, even at 0-0 after 80 minutes! Maybe our mojo is coming back? There is no doubt that Dembele made all the difference in Brendan’s first year and each year after was worse with Dembele being injured. We haven’t yet been able to make up his loss. I think Edouard will come good again and if Griff can stay healthy, we have a talisman there all right. I was thinking about all the hype with Sevco. Our bhoys should be reminded that Gerrard was so pleased we lost to Killie that he based his team talk on it! Is this professional or what? Sevco does well in their packed house at home with no opposition fans. They don’t do so well away to good teams like us and Aberdeen or even Motherwell.
Good up the good journalism.

Devoy45
5 years ago

Good up=keep up!

Honest hoops
5 years ago

Caption; look Here, one of you will get sent off, make up your mind as it’s in my DNA….

BJF
5 years ago

Caption: Beaton “ Don’t blame me Scott, these are Monti’s orders.” Ralph I thought it was interesting how you string a lot of things together, our recent form, Brendan’s demeanour, Dembelle’s comments, lack of transfer activity, interesting.What is clear is once again Brendan’s team delivered when they had to, uncanny how they win when they have to, except Athens of course. Griff showed what an instinctive striker he is and running to embrace his manager was sheer class. Beaton list it but Boyata was unprofessional, worrying he and Ntvham both hit sent off unnecessarily, almost as if they were trying to send a message out.

Hands Can't Hit
5 years ago

“Last Monday, at another meeting, this time in London, Lawwell, Rodgers and Desmond got around the table again, and judging from the press conference before last nights game-notice it was Brendan and not Chris Davies who chaired it, , all is now well.”

What was said at this meeting? The information that proceeds it appears to evidence a breakdown of relationship between Lawwell and Brendan. I’m not sure how that could be repaired without one party leaving, especially as you mention that Lawwell intentionally didn’t pursue transfer targets on the manager’s list.

I just hope it’s not Brendan that leaves.

BJF
5 years ago

Ntcham got damit!

Corrib 04
5 years ago

Well Ralph, that was a welcome article indeed. I hope you are correct that peace has arrived at CP. Lots of things happen pre-season and we are usually unaware of the nitty gritty but thanks to some..erm leakage we have been privvy to info that would normally not see the light of day. Certainly we looked unified on the field and in the dugout yesterday.

Correct me if I am wrong but do our away fans sing more IRA songs when there is disunity at the club? I got the impression last night that when we started to turn it on (whole of second half) those songs stopped and the supporters remembered that they were there to support our team.

As for the ref, I know we dont like him but I thought he did a good job last night. As for the sending off it looked like Boyata accepted that he has crossed the line and walked off without protest. I’d be concerned that he did a Chris Sutton when he chucked it in a sending off incident. Was it against Sevco? Cant remember.
Boyata has been great since he came back but I noticed some mistakes creeping in against Killie and last night there were a few lapses in concentration. Hoping the fella is going to be mentally strong for us at least until January when I guess he will be off.

Anyway, MON THE HOOPS!!

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Corrib 04

Pish.

The away fans were wonderful as per normal.

I truly pity those with an agenda against our fans.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

The Cha,
I agree, fuck them….let the Rebel flow!

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Agree with The Cha and Monti.The away support are excellent and the Rebel Songs were a delight…..

BroxburnBhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Our fans away are the best ever!

5 years ago

Caption: “Broony – ah found this Dulux colour chart in ma tap pocket, but that cunt Boyata’s deffo getting a red card! Dulux calls it MASONIC RED in their colour charts.. hahaha!”.

Monti
5 years ago

Boyata deserved to go, it was a red & as Brendan said ” He (Beaton) gave him ( Boyata) enough chances not to send him off”
Boyata out!

Southside Bhoy
5 years ago

Caption “goanny pit this post it note over his mooth and tell him tae fuckin’ shut it”

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago

Caption

Pull ma finger scott…go on go on…

Naw cheatin ye might shart yersel…cause her full off shit

Bognorbhoy
5 years ago
Reply to  Bognorbhoy

Yer instead of her…but youse knew that didn’t youse ?

George Lazenbhoy
5 years ago

Broony: was that Fife badge ironed on by yer maw?

Bongo
5 years ago

If BR had resigned the board would have had to report it to the city

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

Don’t go spoiling the fantasy with pesky facts.

There was no bid for Tierney but “we were prepared to sell”, how does that work?

That’s a Hugh Keevins/Artur Jorge moment.

It just goes to show those In The Know aren’t in the know.

Ralph malph
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

There was a bid for Tierney. It was accepted. I refer you to Brendans recent comment on keeping Rogic and Tierney. Why would he prioritise keeping a player who had just signed a six year deal if no bid had been made?

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Ralph malph

Any evidence of this bid, as my understanding was that it was denied by us and Everton?

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Ralph malph

Pish…i’m not believing it!

5 years ago
Reply to  Bongo

However offering your resignation and formally resigning isnt the same.

The Cha
5 years ago

Caption “I didn’t get to Specsavers, so is this a Red Card?”

Gerry
5 years ago

I’m no fan of Beaton but have to defend him on three points here:
1) The TV still looks like Steven McLean to me
2) The stats show free kicks conceded so Beaton hasn’t been having a laugh there
3) Boyata should have shut up long before the red. One complaint while getting back into position; ideal! The continued rant and almost barge was far too much for at best a push by the striker. No career threatening lunge so he lost the rag.
Beaton still a fud but this wasn’t his worst game, and he is the guy who rightly allowed the Simo assault on Miller.

Gerry
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerry

Cheers Charlie.
How about we agree on a compromise, “perfectly timed assault on Miller”
Twas a thing of rare beauty!

Uralius
5 years ago
Reply to  Gerry

Caption:
Bleary: When did you hit my wife?
Broony: I never hit your wife, what do you take me for?
Bleary: Boyata said my wife got hit by all the bald headed hard men in the Celtic dressing room.
Broony: *Laughs out loud*

5 years ago

Sinclair has a new baby in the house…always a different dynamic.

Rodgers also admitted a new system is in place that impacts Sinclairs role.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Leigh Griffiths has about 8 bairns in the house…..doesn’t stop him scoring goals.

Uralius
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Aye but aren’t they tae 4 mithers? That maks it easier.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

and different towns, is that why he keeps getting done for speeding?

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Ralph,the Mason in the red is McLean not Beaton…..

5 years ago

All this “It WAS a red card offence” pish.

Who died and made all you folk John Fleming?

Beaton was shocking last night. The number of free kicks awarded to St Johnstone may be an indicator to why Boyata was so annoyed.

its funny how no-one seems to know or even question why exactly Boyata was so annoyed…he didnt just miss a through ball…the guy had been having a great defensive night..something must have happened to cause him to not intercept that ball, either he was pulled, clipped and impeded..and the fact Beaton desperately waved play on was what infuriated him.

Celtic should consult the best lawyers and drag this one right through the disciplinary steps..with delays wherever possible…about time Peter and crew earned their money..appeal everything regardless and if that fails simply threaten a court order that SFA breaching scope of authority…did beaton brandish 2 yellows, did he follow due process..get all those questions in the public domain and cue another referee strike!

And fuck Stephen Craigan too

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

It was a red card!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

What i’d like to know is what Boyata said tp him?

D J Smyth
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

So Monti , you say it was a red card , However you would like to know what was said by Boyata . How would you know what if any punishment should be given if you don’t know what was said

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  D J Smyth

Bj smith,
It’s quite easy actually, i mean you don’t even have to post but i know you are an asshole!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Desimond,
You seem to be a bit of a Boyata tub thumper, what does this guy need to do to make you see he’s a liability?
Maybe not turn up for a vital CL qualifier or something?

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

He needs to stop being the main reason we’ve kept 6 clean sheets in the past 7 games.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,correct.Decent forwards in Europe will destroy him…..

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Calm down….take some of Ralph’s tramadol and read some of his jackanory stories…..

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Desimond

Bestestest lawyers cost a lot of money……Signed OJ…..

Monti
5 years ago

So Tierney was ” talked into staying ” ( cough )
Now Brendan was ” talked into staying ?

Whoever it is that’s doing all this talking, don’t let him near Boyata.

Mike
5 years ago

Beaton is a fucking cheat and cheats do what cheats do, no way Boyata should have been red carded BTW cameras do lie.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

He Beaton, infuriated Boyata by constantly making the wrong calls and by giving fouls against him, the Saint Johnstone players are a bunch of cheating…. even Watt was doing the hokey cokey with his feet, diving for fouls, not that the sleekit Beaton needs any excuse. I love when a Celtic player is fouled going forward and he lets the player go on, he breaks free and then Beaton calls him back for the foul.
Sleekit Mibbery at its sleekit best..

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Pish

Mike
5 years ago

BTW Caulker is training with Wigan, he started off in Russia, but Putin threw him out and he ended up in Wigan FFS the rich mans Stoke on Trent.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

He was bombed out of an absolutely shite Dundee.

I doubt if even Lawwell would go there even if he offered to pay to play.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

He might have been bombed but he wasn’t bombed out of Dundee, rat face wanted him to continue but he was going nowhere fast at Dundee. I answered him only because he asked the question….

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Fair play but not for me. Injury prone, knocking on a bit, not played in months etc.

I’m sure we can do a lot better and need to start planning as Boy and Benko will be away in Jan or June.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

For some reason Rodgers wants centre- halfs to play out from the back, I cannot understand why because they only do the side-way shuffle. Centre-halfs first responsibility is to defend, tackle and head the ball out, then pass to a team-mate. WTF is midfielders for if not to pass the ball forward. We get bullied by hulks who push our defenders out the way especially in Scotland. I cannot understand this lightweight form of defender. We need tall, physical defenders and Caulker is off that ilk. I agree that they might be away, Boyata has to go, to bring in revenue for a new centre-half and then once again “here we go round the mulberry bush”….

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

” him “?

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Speaking now are we, I have answered you half a dozen times over the past few weeks but… get fuck all back
HEN…

Uralius
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mike perhaps its because of your children’s song references. What exactly do mulberries have to go with ball playing defenders.

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mike,
It’s not intentional m8, i’ve started a new job and it stops me from posting as much.

Stop applauding Ralph.

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Stop applauding Ralph, can I help it if he copies my thoughts and my footballing outlook, he and I think alike on most football matters, mibbee you should ask HIM to stop thought stealing…

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Uralius, My children song reference relates to, here we go again looking for new central defenders when 2 perhaps 3 are away..

The Cha
5 years ago

“To the regiment, I wish I was there!”

One time we didn’t do this was injury time when we’re 1 up but a man down, so we need to play boring do nothing football and retain possession but instead we simply launch it up to give them back the ball.

I think they do it deliberately to shred our nerves! 🙂

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

Don’t think that was the only time but I was “pure raging” 🙂

Monti
5 years ago

If i was the manager i’d tell the squad that if the ball was played backwards when there was a clear opportunity to play it forward…..your fined two weeks wages.
Do it again & you don’t play the next match.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

How many corners do I have to take before Celtic score from one?…..Signed Brendan’s job saver Super Leigh…..

Una
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Fuck up

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Una

Una,
You were quick as a flash there, in fact i’d say you mopped the floor with him.

TicToc
5 years ago

Well thank you Ralph for yet another truly terrific Diary. You don’t half put your heart and soul into the Diary, and it’s evident. I felt a whole lot better by the end of last night’s game and the start of the Diary summed up why as we agreed on what we witnessed on the pitch. On another night Leigh would have scored a hat-trick and CalMac would’ve scored too, but it was “psychologically” essential to get that win. AND WE DID.
Whether or not every point you made was pin-point accurate is neither here nor there to me; it all made PERFECT sense and I for one feel a wee spring in my step that’s been missing lately. So thanks very much for that too!
I still see the catalyst for a severely fucked up period as I’ve seen it for years, but that particular bastard can be put on the back-burner for the time being.
WE’VE A JOB TO DO!
HH

Mike
5 years ago

Playing footy on your xbox doesn’t qualify you to manage a pro. football manager, just as tank commander doesn’t qualify you to talk about the army. Both of you continually talk about things that you know SFA about. One should stick to blowing bubbles out his arse and the other should take flying lessons to help him become more airbourne. PISH and feathers go together like Bubble and Squeak food for the mentally challenged….

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Bollocks

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Monti

HAHAHA TIT!

Monti
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

🙂

5 years ago

IIt was a good game!

The Cha
5 years ago

Ralph – thanks for heads up re Salzburg tickets.

I’ve got mine and look forward to cheering on Dedryck and the bhoys.

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

I notice Celtic have produced On The Green-Celtic branded golf merchandise…..my bonus next month will be massive after I talked Celtic into this deal with Srixon……roll up roll up…..Rebel Song Singers especially welcome….

Rob O'Keeffe
5 years ago

Super Sunday on the 28th Oct……that’s one way of describing the absolute mayhem…..Active Service required on that day….Volunteers,one step forward……

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Comments on what we should be doing defensively remind me of reruns of aThe Big Match from the sixties and seventies. Keep up lads, the game has changed and so have players roles within it.
Bobo or VWD ?
Roy Mc Farlane or Willie Garner ?
Du Wei or Dedryck Boyata ( okay or Gary Caldwell)
We’ve got to percivere in trying to play football. Be great if we had one ot two players better able to do this but alas this is where we are.
Agricultural clearances have an annoying habit of coming back in again.
“ We beat them playing football…pure, beautiful ,inventive football”

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  SteveNaive

Not in Scotland it hasn’t, when all opposing teams can only afford agricultural offensive players, the beautiful game is reduced too a more robust approach. The push, pull, hack, hacking style, when defenders are bullied off the ball and get no protection from the refereeing fraternity. Our football is like every other form of football, its all about winning, it would be great to win with style but fresh in my memory are the tommy Burns team with some great players but whose style was blunted by the immovable object of physicality and officious refereeing. BTW De Wei was never a player and as for Gary tank commander…. enough said gov.

SteveNaive
5 years ago

Bobby Moore or Bobby Ball ? Don’t ask Lawwell!

jimmybee
5 years ago

So semi final is 7.45 pm on a Sunday night.
How the fuck are fans from outside of west of Scotland supposed to attend its a fuckin joke.
A joke governing body when are Celtic fans going to say enough is enough.
Fuck hampden Fuck the SFA.

jimmybee
5 years ago

Celtic drawn out of hat first. Yet we are the second game. Go figure.
They say it’s to so Aberdeen fans are not travelling home early hours. Yet its ok for Celtic to play Dundee on Boxing night.
Or Partick to travel to Aberdeen midweek whats the difference. It’s a fuckin disgrace.

The Cha
5 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Aberdeen fans also complain about midday kos due to difficulties of early morning travel.

Mind you that’s what we have in reverse for weekend games up there.

Ade
5 years ago

Caption : Brown, you’ve got 0.1 seconds to speak to him before I put this yellow card away

Iljas Baker
5 years ago

It’s interesting that BR says they hope to tire teams out with their passing game. The problem is teams are fitter these days and parking the bus conserves their energy. The high pressing game requires flashes of individual brilliance which the Celtic team hasn’t been able to produce in a while.

Mike
5 years ago

So no “Red card, Red card, Red card” appeal, just a quiet acceptance of playing on a midden and supporters travelling for miles to watch a semi-final, you could not pay me enough money to go to anything related to the SFA a governing body that is corrupt and cheats my club, your club out of titles and cups, though I recognise that, that is a personnel choice. “Scuttle, Scuttle along to the back of the bus as our club gets chip, chipped away of its pride and dignity”. When will we ever stand up to the cheats and the doers down, the Beaton’s of Scottish football. Come here “Kunta Kinte” and take your trousers down, “Swish Swish” ….

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