Sean Ward believes former club Glentoran could end up a victim of their own hype when it comes to handing out the Gibson Cup this season.
The Glens had worked their way into prime position to challenge for a first league title since 2009.
But Mick McDermott's side have picked up just 14 points from a possible 27 in their last nine outings to fall six points behind leaders Linfield with four games remaining.
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They slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Crusaders last Saturday, leaving the Oval club with a mountain to climb heading into Friday night's crunch Big Two derby showdown with the Blues.
Glenavon defender Ward - who was part of the last Glentoran team to lift the Gibson Cup in 2009 - believes his former club may have got distracted by the praise and fanfare that has followed the team during the season.
And he believes Linfield and Cliftonville's ability to "go quietly about their business" will see one of those two sides prevail in 2022.
Ward told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast: "I loved being involved in title challenges, and those players are so, so lucky.
"As players we love praise, but one of the things that bugs me is when clubs are getting so close but aren't quite there, and they take the praise too quickly.
"They are too public on social media, and retweeting things people are saying about them. Saying how good they are, and they are incredibly good.
"But with Linfield you see they go quietly about it, and once they lift the trophy they fire the media out. That's when they put the pictures up on Instagram and Twitter. They do it when the job's done.
"And I think that's one of the biggest things that separates the two teams. And that's a character issue and personality. It's about being there and doing it and knowing when it's done."
Ward believes this season's title race is between Linfield and Cliftonville, with one point separating the top two in the Premiership.
And he expects both teams to continue keeping their business in-house until their thrilling duel is finished.
"Four games to go, and being in the position where you can win a league championship is a great position to be in, but it doesn't win you the title," Ward added.
"Don't jump the gun and put things on social media telling others how good you are, because it will always come back to bite you. And I think that mentality eventually is probably going to push Linfield over the line.
"And I see it with Cliftonville who have been brilliant in keeping things quiet and they have crept under the radar. That's why in my opinion those two teams are out on their own.
"They have gone about their business quietly, they are not too public on social media and they are letting their football do the talking.
"And then when they do go on and win league trophies or Irish Cups, then go and plaster social media with celebrations. Because that's when the hard work comes to fruition.
"And I just find that Glentoran at this moment in time have celebrated too soon, because they did get themselves in a good position, but ultimately that position was too early.
"And that's what will see Linfield or Cliftonville over the line."
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