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Celtic Diary Thursday June 27: Looking Good, Feeling Great

Season 2019-20 started last night in Austria on a warm summers evening with a 6-1 win over Pinkafeld, who seemed to enjoy themselves nonetheless.

Three of Celtics goals came in the last five minutes, happily coinciding with many peoples streams giving up the ghost a few minutes earlier, but in truth, the score didn’t matter.

It was simply the first day back at work. Even if it was an unfamiliar line up that took to the field.

Hazard, Ralston, Simunovic, Welsh, Hayes, Coffey, Christie, Oko-Flex, Miller, Griffiths, Sinclair. 

Pinkafeld did open the scoring, and they seemed happy enough with that, but not as happy as Leigh Griffiths, who opened his account for the new season shortly after.

Whether or not he continues to make deposits is down to him, but if he’s back to his old self, then we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Two goal Mikey Johnston was the stand out, and perhaps there’s room for him as a number ten further down the line as he continues to develop, and Jack Aitchison reminded us that he’s still around as well.

SC PINKAFELD… 1
(Pahr 29)

CELTIC… 6
(Griffiths 36, Johnston 46 & 90, Henderson 53, Oko-Flex 86, Aitchison 88) 

It’s important not to read too much into this result, after all, Pinkafeld are a fourth division team from one of Europes weaker leagues, but the value of the bonding exercise, and the time spent together for the players away from the nonsense of the domestic tittle tattle can only do them good.

As for Griffiths, lets hope he’s switched back on and focused again.

He sounds like he is..

“It is great to be back. I have been waiting for this for almost six months now. It is great to be pulling on a shirt and getting minutes under my belt.

“Pre-season is all about getting that sharpness back. I have been training very hard for the last three or four months, but there is nothing like stepping out onto a pitch and playing a game.” 

“It has been very tough – mentally and physically.

“But it is not just about me. It is about the guys who were there all season, working hard and we won the treble again.

“We need to look forward now and make sure we qualify for the Champions League and win another treble.

There is always going to be pressure at a club like this, but we have handled that for the last three years now, winning nine trophies on the bounce and we want to make that 12.”

Manager Lennon has spoken out about the possible move to Arsenal for Keiran Tierney..

“Arsenal are aware of what we value the player at,”

“He’s on a long-term contract, he’s an asset and we don’t want to sell him.

“It’s going to have to take a lot more than what they’ve offered the first time around to give us a decision to make.

“I’ve had a chat with him as it can be a difficult decision and bit unsettling. I’ve been there myself so it’s important that we support him regardless of the outcome.” 

Now then, what he really means is that we are going to keep him until someone matches what we think he’s worth. Then we’ll put it to the player.

Tierney’s recent operation means that Arsenal -and hopefully other clubs as well-are reluctant to match Celtic’s price as they are unsure of how he will recover from the injuries that plagued him last season.

Celtic are happy enough to keep him, however, which means the club thinks he’s fit enough to warrant a gamble.

 

Christophe Julien is on the verge of joining the club, a mere six months after he was first mentioned by the unreliable ranch hands who feed not only the horses but the Etims website.

France Football, usually a tad more reliable than the Traynor fed lapdogs in Scotland, said;

Both clubs reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the central defender. The amount of the transaction is estimated at 8 million euros.

He is expected to fly to Austria, probably on a plane, to sign a contract worth around £25,000 a week, with bonuses on top.

All contracts have bonuses, but i thought it worth mentioning as it makes Celtic look confident of earning some bonus money, to counter the doom and gloom in the media.

When I thanked them for the early heads up, they did remind me that they knew Benitez was leaving Newcastle, which he has, and that Lennon would get the full time Celtic gig.

Surely enough to put us into contention for a European place in that league table we showed the other day.

But don’t worry, we’ve filled our quota now, and will return to made up pish as soon as we can think of something.

Over on twitter, Talking Town, Huddersfield Town , that is, claim;

📰 | Celtic have made an approach to sign Town Defender Tommy Smith. Celtic are looking to beat Stoke City in the race for the right-back as they aim to overhaul their full-back positions this summer. Town have set a valuation of £3 Million.

Nope, I’ve never heard of him either, though Huddersfield is definitely a real town, I’ve been there.

 

As for anything else, it’s just paper talk, and we know exactly what word can be used to describe that.

 

One other perhaps worth mentioning is Irish youngster Luca Connell of Bolton, given Lennon’s connections down there. The player has been linked, and he said;

Obviously, everyone knows about Celtic. It’s a massive club.

It would be an honour to represent them if that’s what the final decision was. I’m keeping my options open and hopefully, I can get one in the next few weeks. 

Which was nice of him.

If the David Turnbull transfer ever does finally go through, then its unlikely Celtic will sign another energetic midfielder, so I’m guessing Connell isn’t the only one keeping his options open.

As for Turnbull, he must be feeling a little bit in need of an arm around his shoulder.

It may already be there.. Neil Lennon confirmed the deal isn;t off, just being restructured.

“It’s still ongoing, there’s still discussions going on between the clubs, but we’re still positive that we want him here.

“That would be between the two clubs to try to get some deal sorted out. 

“The situation is through no fault of David’s. It was just something that was unforeseen.

“We are still backing the lad and we want him to be part of the club, regardless of the injury.

“We are not out of it, put it that way.

“David might need have to go through some short-term pain for long-term progress.”

Ironically, it appears that the restructuring involves paying a little less up front but a bit more in add ons.

Similar to how Arsenal want to pay for Tierney.

 

There is little doubt that the mood in Timland is a little better this morning.

Celtic have committed over £10m on players, with more to come.

The rebuild, or at least the strengthening of the side is underway, and it’s still early yet.

Which, of course, is hurting another club not a million miles away.

After all, with the sort of money being talked about in relation to tierney, they must be kicking themselves at not holding onto this guy..

No, I don’t know where he is either.

So, with one major talent having slipped through their fingers, they are determined to hold onto their current superstars..

Chris Jack (Evening Times ) staunchly beating the drum here for Tav and El Buffalo..

STEVEN GERRARD insists he will be under no financial pressure to sell James Tavernier or Alfredo Morelos this summer but admits that every player has their price.

The Rangers boss has added six signings to his squad in recent weeks as he prepares for another European campaign and a crack at the Premiership title and domestic silverware.

Gerrard admitted this week that he was looking to offload some members of his squad that will find their chances at Ibrox limited in the coming months.

But he is in no rush to lose the services of captain Tavernier or striker Morelos after both players enjoyed fine campaigns for the Light Blues last time out. 

Except, that defiant tone kind of ignores one crucial fact..

 

There’s been a lot of speculation about Tav and Alfredo and I’m not surprised by it.

“They both had very good seasons. But there hasn’t been a single bid for either of those players, that’s the truth.

There hasn’t been an offer for any of my players up until now. Do I have to sell to bring in? I don’t think so.

“I’d be quite happy to go with what we’ve got if we can get another centre-back in. 

“Am I confident of keeping Tav and Alfredo? It’s not a question I need to answer right now because there are no offers on the table.

“Am I expecting a bid? Possibly. So I’ll make a decision if and when a bid lands.

“Every player has a price. But if bids come in that are nowhere near acceptable then the answer is going to be a straight no.

“If a bid comes in that’s an eye opener or if it’s at the level we rate the player we’ll have a decision to make and I’ll make it there and then.

“We’ll have targets ready if Tav or Alfredo was to go. I think it would be very stupid and naive of me if I wasn’t prepared.” 

He’s not under pressure to sell them, because no one wants them.

No one wants any of his players.

There is one player that “rangers ” would be desparate to borrow again, but the parent club are not interested in loaning him out. they’re not particularly interested in keeping him either, and would rather sell him, which immediately knocks “rangers ” out of any race to sign him.

Darrell Currie of BT Sport had some advice for the Ibrox club..

A bit more on Ryan Kent:

If a sizeable bid was made and Kent himself wanted to go then Liverpool would be more inclined to sell.

Over to the Rangers board… 

So, if a club bid enough money, the other club would sell, if the player wanted to go…

We do indeed live in an age of enlightenment.

As for Steven Gerrard, Derby have refuted claims they were interested in offering him the managers job, so the media are now claiming that the former Liverpool man is on a list of three for the Newcastle job.

Of course he is.

We expect a denial from Mike Ashley as soon as he stops laughing. Maybe around about December.

Yesterday, we asked if anyone was eavesdropping on this..

R.St.Parsley June 27, 2019 at 9:13 am · Edit · Reply →

Caption1:
KT: It’s nice oot isn’t it, boss
Caption 2:
NL: Aye, Ah think Ah’ll get mine oot 

today..

Image result for pinkafeld 1 celtic 6

 

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Markspur
4 years ago

…and as soon as BR naffed off and Lenny came back, I tore up the sick note and the cleaner missed it!

4 years ago

Caption, This treble treble lark is a doddle.

Markspur
4 years ago

… and king was touting him as gerry of the gers, the guy to end the Celtic Revolution. So mike cashley, who absolutely loves king, hears of it, naffs off poor old Rafa, and is going around spouting out he wants him to be gerry of the Geordies!

Level 5 plant
4 years ago

Leigh if that Lawwell guy thinks he is gonna sell me, he can go f@£% himself!

Monti
4 years ago

LAWWELL OUT!

4 years ago

Caption: “seeing how I wasn’t playing, I had to find an alternative to tying scarves to goalposts – I’m sending out fake press releases on forged “rangers” letterhead now!”.

Honest hoops
4 years ago

Caption; if you do move, can you donate your signing on fee to my maintenance payments…oh how we laughed!!

Hartson's Comb
4 years ago

So then I told the guy: “Your club’s dead, mate!”

Mike
4 years ago

“I just want to add more pace and power to the team” say’s Lenny, music to me ears. Bigger players, faster players, more imposing players. Next stop the sideway’s slow build up play, it only allows more lumbering teams the opportunity to re-group. I watch a lot of teams from so called bigger leagues, always passing out from the back, it always seems to put their own players under self inflicted pressure, sometimes its the right way to play, but sometimes variation can be better. Next, tell New Balance to return to a more traditional style of top, some of their look to have been designed by a sight impaired bairn. Its amazing how one or two quality new signings can lift the support, its a long time coming.

Mike
4 years ago

Post is gone, gone again, skip to the loo. Great Diary… again!

4 years ago

Caption
They’ve signed Aribo Leigh. What?? Haribos ?? No as good as jelly and ice cream

The Cha
4 years ago

“there hasn’t been a single bid for either of those players”

That’s interesting as he previously said that rather than £20m they’d received one bid of £3m for the buf.

Was he born slippy?

The Cha
4 years ago

Caption “it’s okay for me and the boss but you keep your tackle in your shorts, Leigh”

Por Cierto
4 years ago

Caption: “Aye, Scotland’s Premier Club”

CarllJungleBhoy
4 years ago

Caption: What are the odds for me scoring wi a Tunnocks Tea Cake hidden in ma left hand?

5TB
4 years ago

Caption;

LG; ‘Aye ken, just need to look at a burd to get her up the duff’.
KT; ‘Please don’t touch me’.

Mike
4 years ago

Its obvious that the two Kilmarnock full backs are Celtic’s “back stop” for the full back positions. As we wait till more glamorous players make up their minds. As a replacement for Lustig (O’Donnell) and as back up for K.T. (Taylor). Both of these Kilmarnock full back’s contributed massively to Killie’s rise up the table. While Stephen O’Donnell is solid defensively his best work is done going forward. With a better pass rate than some Celtic players, despite playing in an average team. Big and strong he is dependable and as a past Celtic graduate, he floats my boat. O’Donnell’s stats are quite good with him bombing on, its young Greg Taylor at left back who provides defensive cover, only 20 and a good passer of the ball, his passing stats are better than K.T’s. There is no getting by that they have yet to be fully tested but as a “back stop” you never know…

5TB
4 years ago

OK not the best competition but some good signs, especially second half, albeit opposition tired greatly.

Credit due to the younger players who featured last night as they did. Some compelling performances.

Hopefully an indication of better things to come if continued to be given development time.

4 years ago

I think latterly Hayes proved his worth and deserves a go he was our best player away in Valencia and the only one trying against rangers in the last game at Ibrox. He is one of the best crossers of the ball and is a proven international. Got a lot of time for him never shirks and has quite a bit of skill. If Bayo turns out to be any good then Hayes is the man to get the ball in his head. We don’t have any forwards good enough in the air we haven’t for years.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Iancelt67

YAWN

Uralius
4 years ago

Caption: KT: Look at this.
Griff: Whit ye daein’ wi’ yet hauns?
KT: It’s Morelos’ clit in his vag.

4 years ago

Look forward, if it ever happens that we get a good enough co efficient to go straight into the group stages and the club come out here to Australia again for pre season I’m sure the American and Canadian and other expats in other regions agree. Fond memories of seeing my team in the flesh promoting our brand and exciting us . Lennon was a great ambassador when he came here taking time out signing shirts and talking to the locals . Well liked by the Aussie press.

Yoker Bhoy
4 years ago

The Turnbull deal has taken a turn for the worse. In fact, it’s completely collapsed, off, a dead duck, finito, don’t call us we’ll call you, good night Vienna. A bit of a turn off but hardly what you’d call a turn up for the books. There has been something festering and rotten about the whole sad episode since the beginning. Now it’s time to forget all about him and focus on more urgent and better signings.

HH

4 years ago

Maybe the Turnbull spur was just the impetus Mikey Johnston needs to step forward and stake his firm claim as key benchman backing up Rogic, Griff and Christie as needed and ready to step on should any of them step out the picture.

jimmybee
4 years ago
Reply to  desimond

Sinclair is the best left forward we have streets ahead of Hayes and Johnstone.
His record is terrific since he came to the club.
Wouldn’t be out my team.

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Agreed, scored and assisted almost 100 goals.

Hayes? Not sure he’s scored and assisted little. Gie’s peace.

Johnston looks like a genuine contender to make it but, I think, its far too early to expect him to be contributing to 20-30 goals a season.

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

You’re probably the only Celtic fan that looks more fondly at the Deila era than the Rodgers Treble Treble one.

This is 2019 not 2012.

Lennon 2019 (h) scored 5 goals in 5 games

Yes, the goals were fair rattling in.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

PISH

Puggy67
4 years ago

Caption: So the barber said aw here’s the treble treble winner and ahm like aye trump that and when he held the mirror up ma hair wis like this!

basqueceltic
4 years ago

Caption…………and he actually got it out…..

Puggy67
4 years ago

I’m a big fan of jumping wee teams but I was at the 1-5 Arsenal friendly so that’ll explain it.

Mike
4 years ago

Luca Connoll, (Defensive Mid.) Currently being given the tour.
Rakeem Harper, (box-box Mid.) Its been said still under discussion.
Bayo, Shved, Arzani, Gutman, Perez, waiting in the wings, isn’t it funny how players signed and then loaned out, or get injured and are subsequently unavailable are forgotten about. Then, the Griff. still coming back. Then Christian Jullien apparently flying in.
The young players trying to make the breakthrough.
David Turnbull, feel really sorry for the lad, he must feel gutted, but it was Motherwell who “selt the jersey’s” making statements instead of keeping stume, they too must feel gutted as their plans sail down the swannyee. Me, I would rather see Harper, but Celtic have made more statements than signings, patience gas-hopper…

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Shame about Turnbull, if it genuinely is all over.

We also look a bit silly, after publicly “unveiling” him with Lenny last week.

I think the Americans are just here for pre-season to be assessed and will be heading back, unfortunately to the development College league and not the MLS, so they’ll still be a long way from first team ready.

From the dairy “The rebuild, or at least the strengthening of the side is underway”.

Really? Armstrong, Dembele, Boyata, Lustig haven’t been replaced, far less team/squad strengthened.

I know Julien could be the bould Boy’s replacement but that still leaves significant gaps without even considering major sales so that Lawwell can “make bonus”.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  The Cha

The Cha, I’m not sure that Celtic did publicly unveil the lad, I looked at the picture of him sitting in his Celtic top and thought that it was amateurish, could it have been a family member, agent perhaps, the picture just didn’t look right.
You are right of course about the rebuild, no right back yet, I thought that Turnbull was to be Armstrong’s successor, of course Dembelle still hasn’t been replaced either. But the windy has still got a long way to go and if the lad hadn’t failed his medical, with Jullien our spend would be near the £10.00 mill. The lolly is still bursting the biscuit tin. So a way’s to go yet, the thing is it looks like they are actively looking.. Charlie Saiz, you have to factor in yesterday’s lowly competition, Gutman did play well, he and Perez was bought for a reason, the problem that I had with Turnbull is that had only played 30ish SPFL games and I want to see first team players brought in now for the C.L. qualifiers. A R.B. cover for K.T. another big striker and a box to box midfielder, big strong players to take us through to ten..

Monti
4 years ago

Yes he is.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That’s alright, i see your name & think of Noel Hunt. 🙂

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

HE was, yes!

Cartvale88
4 years ago

Caption
Do you think Barry McKay is a great talent?

The Cha
4 years ago

Good luck to The Reds.

Disappointingly, its not on S4C itself, as that can be watched via the BBC iPlayer.

Do you have a link for the Facebook screening?

Uralius
4 years ago

Aye one that wasn’t splashed all over the flocking twits.

Uralius
4 years ago

Bogdan Milovanov is a name you all should remember. In 3 years time you’ll know why!

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Uralius

Uralius,
Will he be in Salisbury?

Steve Naive
4 years ago

Has the heat fried your brains… Hayes !
Honest hard working pro but not good enough for where we are trying to reach. Inconsistent, as are others I’ll deal with later but they, and Johnny have to be moved on.

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve Naive

Steve,
PMSL.
others banging on about the Kilmarnock full backs??

Oh dear.

The Cha
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

I see Dundee United are “interested” in signing Shankland, so perhaps we need to get in quick and snap up such a prolific goalgetter. (c) our regista nutter.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti
Monti
4 years ago

🙂

TicToc
4 years ago

I tried to respond about Ivan Cooper (yesterday’s thread) but it’s gone. I’ll try again here as it’s well worth getting his life story out, and well done for mentioning his demise, Monti.

I didn’t know so much of Ivan Cooper, but having researched him a wee bit I think he should be legendary, like Wolfe Tone perhaps.
The film Bloody Sunday, to which Ivan Cooper was central, can be seen free (Derry) here, about an hour and three-quarters and well worth that time:

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  TicToc

TicToc,
😉

BJF
4 years ago

It’s a shame about Turnbull but good on Celtic’s processes, after Boerenger and Compter we need to avoid players with injuries.
We Lee Bowyer the Charlton manager was on Talkshite this morning saying Ariba’s Move to Sevco was a backward step. He claimed the player did not know Brentford was interested and that they have a good record in preparing players for the Premiership, apparently his agent didn’t tell him. When Kris Boyd’s comments about disrespect to Rangers were relayed to him he answered “ When did Rangers last send a player to the Premiership?” Virgil, Victor, Ki, Fraser, Armstrong…….

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  BJF

Surprised Una isn’t on more, especially with Jeremy Kyle on gardening leave.

Mike
4 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Waaahhh Waaahh Awwee Diddums petted lip!

Monti
4 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Nurse ^

Mike
4 years ago

Its getting harder and harder to find those wee nuggets of young talented football players, those who stand out. More and more you read of the supposedly big league’s big hitters spending millions on seventeen year olds. Makes you wonder about how the ariel’s antenna (no the rubber ones) are tuned into other clubs and their scouts. You often wonder about other teams down south who perhaps have not got a great scouting department earing in on Celtic’s scouting department. In Europe, in Africa and Asia they are always on the lookout for special talented players. American’s prefer other sports, so I don’t know if they are out of sinc. but football is such a big business that once again the biggest clubs can spend big money on ever younger talent. So developing our own younger talented players becomes even more important. Gone are the days of the keepy uppy kings, social media is a full time occupation, selfies are the new sport… to find good young talented players is becoming more unusual. SFA take heed, or are they focused soley on upgrading Hampden. Griff. will be pleased as Tunnock’s tea cakes sponsor the challenge cup…

TicToc
4 years ago

Just for eTims information really, whether you care or not.
I’m abrupt when speaking MY truth, and I try to retain THE truth. Online or otherwise.
I’m double abrupt when slating things I don’t agree with.
I seek out no enemy on here (we’re all Tims, aren’t we?), nor do I seek internet ‘friends’.
If I seek at all on here, I perhaps seek allegiance.
After again watching Bloody Sunday, my blood was boiling.
To see that some of the leaders of that slaughter were later knighted is beyond the pale.
And NO arrests/prosecutions of the murderers.
The cover-up had U fucking K written all over it.
Like it or lump it I’m, as were the murdered deceased of Derry, a UK citizen, am I/we not?
But do we have ANYTHING approaching equality?
It was heartening to listen to ‘Ivan Cooper’s’ (RIP) advice to the scum-bucket british army near the end, explaining accurately and precisely why “Bloody Sunday” would result in a human tsuname in favour of the IRA. I concur with Ivan’s viewpoint and I agree with the tsuname.
You CANNOT fight man-to-man against the bullying might of the british army; ONLY terrorism can possibly effect necessary change, then and now.
Lest ye forget, an ‘Eton Mess’ (ex-Bullingdon Cameron and Osborne) created the Brexit shambles and yet another Bullingdon tory fucking clown is likely to be next PM. If not him, a fucking snake who’s life seems to be about screwing the NHS. Terrorism? Aye, I wonder why!!

HH

Monti
4 years ago

CS,
I also remember your own remarks about ” sticking with Deila ” & “giving him more time”.
He was clueless & was emptying the stadium…..i told you often enough he was out of his depth.

Sometimes it’s better to just listen to those who know better……like Ralph for instance.
I listen to him in admiration & awe. 😉

Mike
4 years ago

The mighty Celtic, searching, searching everywhere to bring in the right players, talented players into the club. Money to spend, cash bulging in the pockets, pleading to be spent, trying to unearth the players to lead us to nine and then ten.

Meanwhile F.C. Skint, trying to make themselves relevant, searching the lower leagues of down south, begging for freebees, legs paddling furiously under the water, trying to stay afloat. Hell mend F.C. Cheats…

TicToc
4 years ago

Difficult to fathom the ‘moderation process’ that’s been implemented on eTims. Rhyme and reason spring to mind with a “no” at the beginning!
Is it possible that my comments may be retrieved from last night regarding, mostly, Ivan Cooper?
Got to repeat it’s one fucking annoying “process”. Is there perhaps a better way?
Pray tell!
Anyway, it’s another fine day to be a Tim and I thank my lucky stars for this daily. But, ‘oh’ for some genuine justice. Some genuine accountability in this bent and corrupt country which harbours elite scum from dirty dealings in its past and ‘oh’ indeed……………..BUT…
Hail! Hail! the Celts are here…….
What WOULD we do without you?
COYBIG

TicToc
4 years ago

And still the mysterious “moderation” continues!
WTF?
HH

TicToc
4 years ago

CS “I remember these types of remarks about Boyata.
Turned out to be our best defender.”
A rethink here?
Possibly your most stupid comment, EVER! FFS.
Boyata was NEVER our “best defender”. He was only given game time due to the niggardly Lawwell’s obstinacy. FFS, CS that really is pish! Better defenders than Boyata….ma granny, ma aunty Trish, ma aunty Mary, ma aunty Eufemia….get a fucking grip CS, he was a heartless piece of shit whom we’re WELL rid of. Would gladly drop all and any team-mate in the shit to try to preserve his ‘integrity’. Only regret is that the over-paid fuck known as Lawwell didn’t stamp his authority and sell the big prick when he had the chance.
HH

TicToc
4 years ago

And then like the number 11 bus you’ve been waiting for……..

R.St.Parsley
4 years ago

Caption
LG:Have ye heard the wan where Morelos is worth £5,000,000 mair than you?

TicToc
4 years ago

CS, I replied to your comment but it’s gone. Your assertion about Boyata is beyond fucking parody, “I remember these types of remarks about Boyata.
Turned out to be our best defender.”
Jesus H christ……what were you on when you typed THAT shite?
HH

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