Henrik Larsson broke down in tears in front of 60,000 adoring fans after his last competitive game at Celtic Park.
Larsson, who scored twice in the victory over Dundee United, told BBC Scotland: "I can't even speak. It has been a fantastic few years.
"The fans have been tremendous and it is great to have been part of something so special like this."
Manager Martin O'Neill said: "He says it has been a privilege being here, but the privilege was all ours."
Larsson's double in the 2-1 win over United brought the Sweden international striker's total for the season to 39 - bringing his career tally with Celtic to 240.
The normally ice-cool 32-year-old was touched by the warmth of feeling from the Celtic support but insisted that he was sticking with his intention to make his seventh season with the Scottish champions his last.
"I'm going to miss this," he admitted. "But, as I have said many times, it is time for me to go."
It had looked like he might end his last competitive game at Celtic Park uncharacteristically goalless until his double in the final 10 minutes.
"I started swinging at everything at one stage," he said. "But, fortunately, I got the first one through a great ball from Alan Thompson.
"The second one was a great ball from Didier Agathe and, once I got the first, I wasn't going to miss the second."
Larsson paid tribute to O'Neill for helping revive the club's fortunes.
"My whole career here has been brilliant," he said. "We have had our ups and downs, but the last four years have been tremendous.
"It has been fantastic and, once the gaffer came up, things started to go forward and happen.
"It has been a pleasure to be at a club like this."
O'Neill added: "He is absolutely fantastic - sensational, sensational, sensational from a sensational player.
"It was very emotional, but it was a fantastic end to a fantastic time here.
"He is a wonderful, wonderful player. You always think he is capable of scoring and, in the air, he is absolutely sensational."