Emotional Jermain Defoe says he's "overwhelmed" by the response to his exit from Ibrox.
And the departing Rangers striker admits his transition into coaching under Steven Gerrard probably came too early.
39-year-old Defoe was part of Gerrard 's backroom team last season while he continued to contribute on the pitch as Gers stormed to the league title.
However his minutes on the pitch this season were virtually non-existent even before his former boss left for Aston Villa.
Gio van Bronckhorst allowed him to focus solely on playing as he brought his own backroom team to Ibrox but Defoe featured just once in a stoppage time cameo under the Dutchman.
And while he's holding no grudges, Defoe admits he had to leave Ibrox because his lack of playing time was getting him down.
"Towards the end it was pretty clear I wasn't going to get the chances I wanted," he said on Sky Sports' Transfer Show.
"I wasn't getting in the squads but I was still holding onto it. I wanted to impress Gio to get myself into the squad and get a few games.
"The season before, I scored in every game I started. When you're involved in it, winning the league, the next season you still want to be a part of it.
"The fans were back and it was an unbelievable place to play football. Even at the age of 39, I still wanted to be involved.
"Towards the end it was affecting me. I was a bit down, I was bringing it home. So I had an honest conversation with the club and it was going to be difficult to get games, with the new signings coming in.
"That was it, really."
Defoe's exit has been met with swathes of well-wishing messages and he says he wishes he could respond to all of them.
And the striker, who has been linked with a return to Sunderland as he looks to finish this season as a player, admits he's been "overwhelmed" by the response.
He added: "I wish I could message everyone back. Some of the messages I've received, it's unbelievable and overwhelming.
"I look at players like Ally McCoist, who have scored a lot more goals than me. Staff members who have been at the club for years.
"It was quite emotional. I'd just like to say thank you for the support. Five minutes into my first game the fans were singing an unbelievable song.
"That struck me straight away. I was like 'wow, this is a special place to play football.'
"My first game was against Kilmarnock and it was rocking. From day one the fans took to me. I bought into the culture, I love Glasgow as a city, and I'm going to miss it.
"All these years craving that league title, something I've always wanted to do as a kid. 55 titles was something the club was craving and it was so special. It's not easy to walk away from it.
"But at times you have to put your ego to the side and maybe think about the younger players coming up.
"I had an unbelievable time there. I want to thank everyone at the football club.
"All these people, Jean in the canteen, Jimmy Bell who's been at the club 30 years. There's so many great characters and people I'm going to miss."
