Rickie Lambert is anticipating an “emotional” St Mary’s return and admitted he would have been “devastated” if his Saints departure would have seen fans turn against him.

The big striker, who scored more than 100 goals for Saints as he led them from League One to the Premier League, is still revered in the city despite his decision join Liverpool for £4m in the summer.

Lambert is sure of a warm welcome from the fans on his return to the club, and cannot wait for a chance to see everyone again.

He said: “It was an amazing five years for me at Southampton.

“I haven’t been back there yet since I left. I’m looking forward to seeing all my mates there. It’s going to be emotional. But it’s going to be good to see the fans and see the city again.

“I would have been devastated if I had lost the relationship I had with the Southampton fans. I think that was possibly the most special thing I’ve had in my career being honest.

“The relationships I made at Southampton is something I want to treasure for the rest of my life. It’s a club I hold close to my heart. It’s nice that I was able to leave in the circumstances I left.

“What would I do if I scored there? No, I couldn’t celebrate out of respect.”

It might be a rather difference reception awaiting Lambert than Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana but the striker insisted: “They’re professionals and they’ll be okay.

“That’s what comes with football sometimes. I know that the club means a lot to Adam.

“It might be a bit difficult for Ads because he loves the club so much. He’s a bit disappointed with the way things unfolded and how it ended there. But I know he’s got nothing but love for Southampton.”

Lambert admitted he would not have predicted Saints’ amazing season as star names were being sold last summer, but believes much of the credit has to go to the players who remained at the club.

“I can’t say I saw the season they’ve had coming,” said Lambert.

“But when I look back now, not only myself but I think a lot of people under-estimated the characters in the dressing room who stayed there. That’s full credit to them for proving everyone wrong.

“They’ve done it year in, year out there and now they’ve taken it to another level. Ronald Koeman looks like a good manager and the new signings have come in and hit the ground running. The journey that club has been on has been amazing.

“The fact they’re still up there at this stage means without a doubt they are genuine top four contenders. Nothing seems to be fazing them.

“Even when they aren’t playing so well they grind out results. Defensively, they are very solid. Their new attacking players have come in and done really well. It’s going to be a hard game for us.”