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      Rangers CONFIRM new manager as Philippe Clement takes over Ibrox hot seat

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      PHILIPPE CLEMENT has been appointed the new manager of Rangers.The former Club Brugge and AS Monaco boss, 49, succeeds Michael Beale in the role after the Englishman was sacked last month.
      Philippe Clement has been announced as the new Rangers managerCredit: Alamy
      SunSport revealed earlier this morning that Clement had won the race to become the new Rangers manager.
      He’s signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at Ibrox running until 2027.
      Speaking for the first time following his appointment, Clement said: Clement said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the new manager of Rangers Football Club and I’d like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity.
      “I am hugely excited by this chance to achieve success at one of Europe’s most iconic clubs across four competitions in what remains of this season and beyond.

      “I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the coming days and to meeting our supporters at next Saturday’s home match with Hibernian, as we set out together to create a successful, winning Rangers.”
      Clement’s his first game in charge will be that home clash with Hibs on October 21, with the Gers returning from the international break seven points behind Celtic.
      We revealed how the Belgian had emerged as the leading candidate on Monday night after impressing the board during the interview process.
      Speaking on the process for the first time, Rangers chairman John Bennett explained why Clement had become the “outstanding” candidate.
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      He said: “I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Philippe as he becomes our 19th manager.
      “His appointment comes at the end of a carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process. A team led by our CEO James Bisgrove, members of the board, and former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness, has spent the last 10 days interviewing several high calibre candidates, with those individuals undergoing a rigorous interview and vetting process. We thank all candidates for their interest in the position.
      “Philippe proved to be the outstanding candidate across all the key criteria, reinforced by his track record of winning titles and I wish him every success as he leads us forward.”
      Clement, a defender in his playing days, led Genk to the Belgian Pro League title in 2018/19 before taking the job at Club Brugge.
      He won two successive league championships with the Belgian giants and lifted the Super Cup in 2021.
      Monaco came calling midway through the 2021/22 season and he oversaw a turnaround in results to propel Les Monégasques to third in Ligue 1, going unbeaten in their final ten league games (a period of two months).
      His second season in the municipality didn’t go well though as Monaco missed out on European football for the following campaign by finishing sixth in the league.
      They also crashed out of the Coupe de France at the first hurdle, failed to qualify for the Champions League and were eliminated at the first knockout stage if the Europa League.
      In his playing days, Clement turned out for K Beerschot, Genk, Coventry City, Club Brugge and Germinal Beerschot and earned 38 caps for his country.
      As a manager he won several coach of the year awards in Belgium.
      His playing style relies heavily on width from full-backs and with Rangers known for their use of James Tavernier as an attacking threat in particular, it’s a way of playing that could match up well.
      Defensively he likes his teams to sit high, another factor that could bode well for Gers particularity in Scotland as they look to compress opponents into their own half.
      Earlier in the process Ibrox chiefs ruled out Scott Parker but Kevin Muscat remained in the running, vowing to quit Yokohama F. Marinos should he be offered a return to where he won a treble in 2002/03.
      Muscat, 50, had been the favourite to succeed Beale from early on but doubts emerged as to when he’d be able to take over given his contract runs until December and the Japanese title race was in full swing.
      Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskin, a compatriot of Clement, gave a ringing endorsement of the manager prior to the appointment.
      He said: “I don’t know him personally, but he did very well with the teams he had in Belgium.
      “And he also did incredibly well at Monaco, so let’s see what happens in the future.
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      “Would he be a good fit here? Yes, I think he’d bring some clarity and an attacking style. So I think he’d be good.”
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      I was born and bred north of the border and can’t wait to take on the Auld Enemy… for Australia

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      CAMERON BURGESS will lead a tartan invasion of Wembley with Australia.The Ipswich defender is one of SEVEN players who either was born or currently playing north of Hadrian’s Wall in their squad that will take on England.
      Australian star Cameron Burgess is one of seven Scots in the squad to face England
      And he says that adds extra spice to the friendly as Scots will be cheering on the Socceroos against the Auld Enemy.
      Burgess, 27, Hibernian’s Martin Boyle, 30, and Leicester’s Harry Souttar, 24, are all defenders who herald from Aberdeen.
      Celtic midfielder Jackson Irvine, 30, has Scottish heritage through his dad Steve, who was also born in Aberdeen.
      While Hibernian defender Lewis Miller, 23, Hearts defender Kye Rowles, 25, and St Mirren winger Ryan Strain, 26, are all plying their trade in the SPL too.
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      And Tractors Boys ace Burgess told SunSport: “There are so many of us who have strong Scottish links so lots of people north of the border are going to be rooting for us against England.
      “I’ve only been to Wembley once previously and that was to cheer on Scotland against England in the Euros in 2021 when it was a 0-0 draw. It was a lively evening with a great atmosphere.
      “I missed out on the chance of playing there when I was at Salford City. We made the Papa John’s Trophy final in 2020 but then Covid came along. The game was postponed and by the time it was eventually played I had left the club.
      “So, to play against England at Wembley, is going to be a special occasion — especially with my Scottish roots.”
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      Leicester City’s Harry Souttar is up against the Three Lions at Wembley
      Hibernian ace Martin Boyle is another of the Tartan brigade in the Aussie ranks
      Burgess lived in Scotland until he was 11 and always destined to become a footballer.
      For his dad Stuart was a pro footballer who played for Albion Rovers, East Fife, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and East Fife in a career that spanned the 1980s and early 1990s.
      And his grandfather Campbell played as a keeper for St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Southampton in the Sixties — and won the Scottish league title with Kilmarnock in 1965 as well as earning four Scotland caps.
      Burgess — who played youth football for Celtic — emigrated to Australia with his family when mum Lindsay got a job in Perth.
      The Ipswich ace said: “My mum was working for a gas company in Aberdeen and it was the same firm in Australia so it was an opportunity for her to move out there with work. 
      It was right to commit to Australia because of what they did for me when I moved there. I’m glad I’ve done it.Cameron Burgess
      “Obviously leaving my friends behind was upsetting but going to Perth felt like a big holiday. 
      “Then I’m suddenly going to school there and you think, ‘Right, we’ve actually moved here.’
      “Australia is a totally different place. We moved out before the summer began so it was hot. 
      “You kind of get into the swing of things quickly as a kid, adapt, get on with it. 
      “I’ve a lot of close friends that I grew up with from early on. I’ve lots of happy memories.”
      Jackson Irvine has Scottish heritage with his dad coming from Aberdeen
      Lewis Miller is flying the flag for Scotland playing for Australia against England
      Kye Rowles is a rock for Hearts in the SPL
      Aussie star Ryan Strain is strutting his stuff at St Mirren
      Burgess played youth football for ECU Joondalup — now known at Perth Red Star — a junior club with a track record of developing talent. 
      The likes of former Australian ace Rhys Williams, who played in the Premier League for Middlesbrough; Bolton’s Jack Iredale, Charlton’s Ash Maynard-Brewer and former Portsmouth, Rotherham and Barnsley’s Ryan Williams all came through the ranks.
      And it was while he was there that he was invited for a trial in the UK with Fulham and got signed by the Cottagers when he was 16.
      Burgess went on to play in a team that won the Premier League Under-18s that included Fulham keeper Marek Rodak, Moussa Dembele who went on to play for Celtic and Lyon, Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts and Emerson Hyndman who broke into the US national side.
      Ironically, the Ipswich defender made his senior debut for the Cottagers at Portman Road nine years ago.
      He said: “It was the first game Fulham played after being relegated from the Premier League. 
      “Felix Magath was manager and there was a group of young lads who managed to get training with the first team, trying to grab the opportunity with both hands really. 
      “He picked me and I was up against Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick. I played in front of the back four at the base of a diamond alongside Hyndman and Scott Parker.”
      Burgess only managed four outings for Fulham and got loaned out to Ross County, Cheltenham, Oldham and Bury before moving to Scunthorpe where he reached the League One play-offs in 2018 only to suffer relegation the following season.
      After a loan at Salford, he had a season at Accrington before being snapped up by Ipswich, who won promotion to the Championship last season and are now eyeing Premier League football.
      Burgess made his Australia debut in a friendly last month against Mexico in Dallas, Texas — a match that saw him give away a penalty in a 2-2 draw.
      The defender said: “I felt it was right to commit to Australia because of what they did for me when I moved there. I’m glad I’ve done it.
      “I always knew I could get a call-up from Australia and make my senior debut. It was a case of working hard at Ipswich, doing the right thing and it’s the reward for that. 
      “The Mexico game was a great experience. We played in the Dallas Cowboys stadium, full of Mexican fans because it’s close to being a home game for them. The penalty was a soft one though!”
      Australian football has never been in better health. The Socceroos enjoyed their best World Cup campaign last year — beating Tunisia and Denmark in the group stage before narrowly losing 2-1 to eventual winners Argentina in the last 16.
      And Tottenham’s appointment in the summer of Aussie coach Ange Postecoglou was also a huge deal for football Down Under.
      Burgess said: “I’ve come across him a couple of times in the junior Australia camps and he has a good presence. 
      “I’ve kept an eye on how he’s been doing and it’s not a surprise he’s now at Tottenham.
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      “My Ipswich and Australia team-mate Massimo Luongo played for him and always speaks highly of him. Everyone knew what a good coach he already was just by winning things back in Australia. 
      “I remember when I was growing up, I used to watch his teams and obviously what he’s done since then with the national team, out in Japan and with Celtic it shows how good he is — and it’s great for Australian football.” More

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      Scottish manager offers to take Rangers job until end of the season saying ‘it’s a club I admire greatly’

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      A SCOTTISH football manager has thrown his hat in the ring for the Rangers manager job. Former Motherwell, Derby County and Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies has offered up his services to fill the void left by Michael Beale until the end of the season.
      Billy Davies is interested in becoming the Rangers manager on an interim basisCredit: John Kirkby – The Sun Glasgow
      The former Motherwell, Preston, Derby County and Nottingham Forest manager reckons he’s up to the task at IbroxCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Davies, 59, hasn’t managed a club since he was axed by Forest in 2014 but he believes he can help turn things around at Ibrox.
      The Light Blues are currently without a permanent boss after deciding to part ways with Beale last weekend.
      The Englishman was axed following Rangers’ 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen.
      Steven Davis was appointed boss on an interim basis and has been assisted by Alex Rae whilst James Bisgrove and John Bennet and the Rangers board find Beale’s successor.

      Gers legend Graeme Souness has been called in to help with the manager search and the club are hopeful they will appoint their new man during the international break.
      But Davies, who has been linked with the job in recent days, insists he’s available and hopes an offer to manage the club until the end of the season comes his way in the coming days.
      Speaking on the Big Scottish Football Podcast, Davies said: “Look, I’m available. I’m just along the road and it’s a great club and a club that I admire greatly. I certainly would go in until the end of the season to help them.
      “I’ve got no doubt if that offer ever came along then it’s something I would look at.
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      Asked whether he thinks he has what it takes to turn things around at Ibrox, Davies replied: “You’ve got to look at things very carefully and I’ve got no doubt that challenge would be a very exciting challenge.
      “As I said before, I’d be delighted to help them until the end of the season if that’s the case.”

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      Ally McCoist in shock career move as Rangers hero unveils new business venture with son

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      RANGERS legend Ally McCoist has started a chauffeur and limos firm, we can reveal.The footie hero, 61, set up the business with his eldest lad Alexander, 29.
      McCoist has started a new business venutreCredit: Getty
      But since forming AM Executive Chauffeur Ltd he has been fined for speeding twice on the same day.
      Officials say the pair’s company is involved in the “renting and leasing of cars and light motor vehicles”.
      It’s registered in Erskine, Renfrewshire, with both Coisty and his lad named as its sole directors.
      Last month the ex-Scotland football legend was hit with £510 in fines after he admitted going over the speed limit twice on January 6.

      Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard the former Rangers striker was clocked driving at 48mph in a 30mph zone in Tarbet, Argyll. And on the same day McCoist was also recorded doing 55mph in a separate 30mph zone on the A83 in nearby Arrochar.
      The telly pundit, of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, also had four penalty points added to his licence.
      His vehicles business was incorporated days before he was cleared of liability for a £244,000 insurance bill.
      Aviva claimed he should’ve stopped son Argyll, 24, driving his motor before a hit-and-run crash in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, in 2016.
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      Victim Stephan Murdoch was given a £200,000 compo payout. But a judge said Ally did not have to pay up for his uninsured lad.
      Last night a source said: “Ally has a lot of contacts who like to be driven about in limos, so this could be a nice earner.”
      And last night Sheffield Hallam University sport finance expert Dr Dan Plumley said diversifying income and considering business alternatives was vital for retired professional footballers.
      He added: “Of course, they are also often in a more privileged position to do some of these things linked to their profile as a footballer.
      “It is a case of leveraging that as much as possible to your advantage, just like any business will do with its brand and reputation.”
      Ally McCoist has set up a chauffeur firmCredit: Getty
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      Frank Lampard WON’T be Rangers manager and ‘didn’t even get an interview’ as ex-Chelsea boss searches for new job

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      FRANK LAMPARD will NOT be the next manager of Rangers, according to reports. Lampard had been heavily linked with the Ibrox post after the sacking of Michael Beale.
      Frank Lampard will reportedly not manage RangersCredit: Getty
      Lampard remains keen on a return to management but only for the right roleCredit: Getty
      However, it now appears the ex-Chelsea boss will not be taking up the vacant position.
      According to Daily Telegraph reporter Matt Law, Lampard did hold an initial conversation with Rangers over the role.
      This is said to have been to find out more about the project.
      But Lampard stopped short of having a formal interview.
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      Consequently, he will not be part of the club’s shortlist as they hunt for their next boss.
      Lampard remains keen on a return to coaching but only for the right position.
      The 45-year-old has previously managed Derby, Everton and Chelsea, having two stints with the latter including as an interim manager last season.
      “Super Frank” was unable to arrest Chelsea’s slip down the table, and even with this season well underway, the Blues have a 2023 record belonging to a relegation contender.
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      Rangers have experienced a sticky start to the season.
      They have won just four of their seven Scottish Premiership matches.
      Gers failed to qualify for the Champions League after losing in the play-offs to Dutch side PSV.
      Since dropping into the Europa League they have won one and lost one.
      Their next match sees them take on St. Mirren on Sunday. More

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      Former Rangers star warned he could face up to 15 years in prison for alleged sex attack on ex-wife

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      FORMER Rangers star Claudio Caniggia has been warned he could face up to 15 years in prison after being ordered to stand trial for an alleged sex attack on his ex-wife.The former Dundee and Argentina striker had tried to halt proceedings against him after Mariana Nannis accused him of forcing himself on her at a Buenos Aires hotel where they were both living at the time.
      Claudio Caniggia could be facing up to 15 years in prisonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      But the 56-year-old, who played in three World Cups for his country alongside the likes of Diego Maradona, suffered a major setback after the Criminal Division of Argentina’s Nations Appeals Court rejected his lawyers’ arguments charges should not stand.
      He is set to be put on trial for “aggravated sexual abuse” over the alleged attack claimed to have occurred in 2018 at the Faena Hotel in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Puerto Madero.
      Mariana, mother of Caniggia’s three children, sparked the investigation that led to the retired footballer’s prosecution by claiming he had raped her on May 6, 2018 at the five-star hotel.
      The striker’s accuser, whose split from her husband was confirmed in July 2019 a year and a half after they began leading separate lives, has alleged he forced himself on her after she rejected his advances, hit her and threatened to kill her if she went to police.

      He has been told he could get 15 years in prison if convicted.
      Local reports point to hotel staff testimony and photographs showing Mariana’s injuries forming part of the evidence against him.
      Caniggia, who has been banned from leaving Argentina since June, has always denied any wrongdoing
      The former footballer went on to date model and influencer Sofia Bonelli, who at 29 is nearly 30 years younger than him.
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      Caniggia played for both River Plate and Boca Juniors in his homeland.
      He became a cult legend at many of the clubs he has played at.
      His goal against Dunfermline in 2003 helped Rangers win the title.
      The striker also scored against arch rivals Celtic in the League Cup final that year – having previously been at Dundee for a season from 2000 to 2001.
      Caniggia scored 16 goals in his 50 appearances for Argentina.
      He played at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and scored four goals in eight matches before returning for the 2002 tournament after being frozen out of the national team for several years because he refused to cut his long hair under the strict regime of Daniel Passarella.
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      Frank Lampard open to stunning return to management with European giants as Chelsea legend shortlisted for vacant role

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      FRANK LAMPARD is reportedly open to returning to management with Rangers.The former Chelsea player and boss has been out of work since his caretaker role with the Blues ended last season.
      Frank Lampard is open to becoming the next Rangers managerCredit: Getty
      The Glasgow giants are on the hunt for Michael Beale’s replacementCredit: PA
      But ‘Super Frank’ is ready to make a swift return to the beautiful game after Rangers added him to their managerial shortlist.
      The Glasgow giants are looking for their next manager after sacking Michael Beale at the weekend.
      They have lost three of their opening seven games, leaving them seven points behind fierce rivals Celtic.
      Beale had put together a four-match winning run last month.
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      But Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen was the final straw for Ibrox chiefs.
      And the Telegraph claims they could now turn to Lampard after putting him on their shortlist.
      The England icon is joined by AZ Alkmaar boss Pascal Jensen, ex-Monaco manager Philippe Clement and Yokohama Marinos’ Kevin Muscat – a former Ger with 29 appearances to his name.
      Lampard is said to be interested in following the footsteps of former Three Lions midfield partner Steven Gerrard, who led Rangers to their only league title in the last 12 years.
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      Should he get the role, it would mark Lampard’s first managerial foray outside England.
      He kick-started his career in the dugout with Derby County in 2018, leading them to the Championship play-off final a year later.
      Lampard then got a dream nod from Chelsea to take charge of their promising youngsters during a transfer ban.
      He was given the chance after netting 211 goals in 648 games as a player at Stamford Bridge, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League in the process.

      But Lampard’s time as boss was less successful, winning just 44 of his 84 games in charge.
      He was eventually let go in January 2021, paving the way for Thomas Tuchel to clinch Chelsea’s second Champions League title.
      Lampard returned to management a year later with Everton, helping them avoid relegation.
      He was sacked by the Toffees at the start of the year after just 12 wins.
      And Chelsea came calling again in April, with Lampard taking over from Graham Potter on an interim basis.
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      He managed just one win in 11 games as the Blues recorded their lowest-ever Premier League finish.
      But Lampard remains a popular figure at Chelsea, with away fans singing his name throughout Monday’s 2-1 derby win at Fulham. More

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      Michael Beale SACKED by Rangers as boss pays price for dismal start to season

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      RANGERS have axed boss Michael Beale after almost a year in charge.The Englishman took over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst in December last year after the Gers fell nine points off top spot in the cinch Premiership.
      Michael Beale replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst and couldn’t lift Rangers’ overall league performanceCredit: Willie Vass
      The hierarchy at Ibrox have acted after the Gers lost ground on Celtic throughout SeptemberCredit: SNS
      But with a seven-point deficit at the beginning of October, the Ibrox board has acted and launched another new manager search.
      A statement read: “Rangers Football Club can confirm it has parted company with men’s first-team manager, Michael Beale.
      “The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November.
      “Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.

      “Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.”
      Beale saw his final few games soundtracked by boos.
      The team was jeered off from an Old Firm defeat to Celtic by all four stands at Ibrox after the Hoops rejected an away allocation.
      But though his side responded to win three in a row with clean sheets in each of the games that followed the performances left much to be desired.
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      Real Betis was his only statement win in his tenure and even a 1-0 win over Motherwell was jeered such was the quality of football on show.
      But a home defeat to Aberdeen on the back of a 4-0 Viaplay Cup Final win over Livingston sealed his fate.
      In total Beale presided over 42 games, winning 31 and drawing four.
      Crucially only one ‘big win’ that mattered – against Real Betis.
      Beale did defeat Celtic – convincingly – at the end of last term in a match regarded as a dead rubber in terms of the league title’s destination.
      Early moves in the transfer market saw Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell recruited and the pair became quick-fire fan favourites.
      In the summer he spent a significant outlay on Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, Jose Cifuentes and Sam Lammers but none blossomed in the early stages of the season and their failure to settle certainly contributed to his dismissal.
      With him, Beale brought in coaches Neil Banfield and Harry Watling plus secured a return for club doctor Mark Waller.
      But upstairs at Ibrox much has changed during his tenure.
      The club is still without a Director of Football following Ross Wilson’s move to Nottingham Forest last April and James Bisgrove took over from Stewart Robertson as CEO in the summer.
      Douglas Park also stood down as chairman earlier this year, replaced by John Bennett.
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      The club is also moving to a data-driven set-up in the scouting department, moving John Brown’s duties and adding an ambassador’s role, while letting opposition scout Billy McLaren leave and Billy Kirkwood depart as loan manager.
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