Club legends Barry Johnston and Ryan Cartney believe Colin Coates could emerge as an unlikely hero if Cliftonville win the title this season.
Veteran defender Coates was once a pantomime villain around Solitude due to his longstanding ties with Crusaders.
But now the 37-year-old is hoping to add to his Premiership tally by lifting the Gibson Cup with Cliftonville.
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Paddy McLaughlin's Reds sit just six points off the top with eight games remaining, with last Saturday's 2-1 win over Glentoran keeping alive hopes of a first title since 2014 when Johnston and Catney were in their pomp.
"I used to hurl a lot of abuse at Colin," Catney joked on Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"He's there and it is what it is and his experience in the run in will be vital. He has won everything there is including multiple leagues, Irish Cups, Setanta Cup.
"You can never have enough experienced people in your dressing room. It is something you can't buy.
"So for some of those younger players who haven't played in massive games for Cliftonville, he can be a calming influence.
"And by all accounts he is a great lad. And on the pitch he has been smashing.
"He wears his heart on his sleeve, the way he did when he played for Crusaders. And he was probably our best player against Glentoran last Saturday.
"And his experience will be invaluable for Paddy (McLaughlin). He should be leaning on players like him, Chrissy Curran and Joe Gormley.
"They are players who have played in big games and title run-ins."
Johnston also believes Coates' experience will be a major factor in determining how close Cliftonville go to winning the league title this season.
"Barry Gray tried to sign Coatesy before he went to Glenavon. He decided to go there and it didn't work out for him," Johnston said.
"Timing is everything in football. Paddy has taken a shot on someone in a position he needed, and probably didn't think Colin would do as well as he has done.
"Coatesy has probably proved a lot of people wrong, including myself. I didn't think Cliftonville's pitch would suit him, at the age he is at.
"But he reads the game so well. And anyone who thinks he is just there to pick up a wage only has to go and watch him. The way he handled Kyle Lafferty and stuff.
"The way he protects the younger lads. He is Sean Moore's bodyguard at times. People are hitting Sean in the tackle and Coatesy is the first one jumping in.
"And I think it's brilliant he has bought into the whole Cliftonville thing, the Cliftonville family. And he and Jonny Addis have been outstanding.
"He knows how to win and run a changing room, and Coatesy is still in great condition. But it still looks weird with him in a Cliftonville shirt, especially wearing the armband.
"I will be scratching my head sometimes asking, 'Is this real?'.
"But mark my words, if we win the title and he is there in that social club, me and Cats will be hanging off his shoulder and getting photos with him and drinking to the early hours.
"Let's hope he can get us over the line."
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