1999 impreza l, Auto knob removal, to access light bulb

[bork]

The shifter selector light bulb is burned out & since I have things apart for radio, good time to replace. I'm all the way down to the 2 square black panels, around shifter which are loose, but cant raise up because knob is in the way. I took out 2 tiny screws on both sides of shifter knob, but still wont slide up/off. Does the release button on side need to be disconnected? Sorry to ask these questions, but could not find in a search. I hate it when some post have a title like,"help".  These make seaches difficult!