Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage hopes Birmingham City fans can forgive him in the future.
The midfielder went from hero to zero in the second city three years ago when he joined Blackburn for £3.1million.
And, on his first return to Brum, Savage angered supporters when he celebrated after scoring for Rovers.
Chairman David Gold also accused him of snubbing a handshake, which the player denies.
And, while he knows the Blues faithful have not yet forgiven him, he is looking forward to the day he can go back to a warm reception.
Savage, 33, said: "I know I will get booed but maybe in 10 years' time I will be able to go back and the fans will think of me as a Birmingham great. They might not like me now but they know I gave everything I've got and that the club sold one of their better players when they let me go.
"I did a fantastic job for them and I enjoyed every minute at Birmingham. But my decision to leave was the right one because I went on to play in Europe and we finished sixth in the league. No one can criticise me for what I did and I hope the fans realise that one day because I would love to come back to a good reception. Birmingham was good for me and I was good for Birmingham."
The fall-out from Sav's departure was bitter but the player made his peace with former boss Steve Bruce earlier this season.
And now he would like to put the record straight as far as chief Gold is concerned.
Savage added: "It's wrong to say I refused to shake Mr Gold's hand. I always got on well with him and liked him. What happened was that he was standing on the other side of the pitch while I was warming up for Blackburn and a steward came over and said 'Mr Gold wants to see you'. There was no way I could stop my warm-up to go over and I told the steward that. But if I see him on Saturday I will be happy to shake his hand. He is a nice man."
