Hot prospect Cairney rested for the run-in as new contract negotiations stall

PHIL BROWN insists Tom Cairney was not dropped for the visit of Arsenal due to Hull City's frustrations over being unable to agree a new contract with the youngster.

The 19-year-old had started Hull's last six games and scored against Everton the week before but did not even make the bench against the Gunners despite not being injured.

Following Adam Pearson's revelations in the matchday programme that the Tigers were unable to agree an extended deal with Cairney due to his advisors being unlicensed, rumours began to sweep the KC Stadium that the youngster had been dropped as a result.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, Brown was quick to stress after the game how the decision had instead been influenced by a desire to go with experience during the run-in.

He said: "Tom has been in the firing line for five or six games and he has done his part.

"But maybe the next nine games are going to be about experience, older players and a stronger mentality."

In his programme notes, Pearson was clearly frustrated by the stalemate that has developed over contract talks with Cairney, especially as similar discussions with the representatives of highly-rated duo Liam Cooper and Jamie Devitt are set to be resolved successfully over the next few days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Tigers chairman wrote: "Young Tom Cairney's advisor is unlicensed and, therefore, the club is unable to deal with him, which makes things very difficult to conclude.

"Liam and Jamie have, thankfully, selected experienced licensed agents so hopefully we can work with these companies to achieve a successful conclusion for all parties concerned.

"An unlicensed agent makes negotiations very difficult as the club is not permitted to talk directly to them.

"An intermediary can be appointed, such as an FA-licensed solicitor but this just adds to the confusion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The intermediary in this case is a non-FA registered solicitor who just acts as a front for the unlicensed advisor.

"It could, therefore, be difficult to reach a satisfactory conclusion to Tom's contract extension at this particular time, which is a shame as Tom has done well in recent weeks and deserves a new deal."

Cairney, released by Leeds as a 16-year-old and snapped up by Hull, has impressed since being promoted to the first team at the end of January.

Brown is as unimpressed by the saga over the teenager's representatives as his chairman, adding: "Tom has unfortunately been taking advice from, for me, the wrong person.

"The people who are in charge of Tom are the right people to listen to. And from that I mean my chairman, myself, my backroom staff and the players around him."