THE SECRET SCOUT

Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. He brings you his verdict in Sportsmail. TOM CAIRNEY AGE: 25 CLUB: FULHAM POSITION: MIDFIELDER VALUE: £6M 2016-17 LEAGUE APPS: 23 GOALS: 5 WHAT HAS HE GOT?

UNDER Slavisa Jokanovic, Fulham are playing a good brand of football and, in his midfield, Tom Cairney — born in Nottingham but a Scotland Under 21 international — is enjoying a fine season. Cairney (below) caught my eye when first at Hull City and then Blackburn Rovers and he is now emerging as a mature left-sided playmaker who is able to play in the central third and pull the strings. After a fairly long apprenticeship, he has improved enough to start looking like a player who could well attract offers. He does not panic under pressure in possession and can slowly turn and shield the ball. It is his passing of the ball that catches the eye though. He gets his head up early and sees the possibilities, makes an early selection and inevitably a good decision. Older Fulham fans will recall the late Johnny Haynes sliding wonderfully paced passes inside the full back to outside left Tosh Chamberlain. Cairney has the ability to play this pass and did it three times in a recent game.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

I WOULD like to see him score more goals. Any creative midfield player must be aiming for at least three attempts every game. He is not the quickest but he has a football brain and is brave. If he spots a crossfield opportunity he is prepared to play the longer pass, risking an interception from the opposing full back but having the confidence in his accuracy. If he wants to progress he would find the pace and body strength of the very best players a challenge and would need to adapt to that. But with his control and poise, he has the ability to make time for himself on the ball. Could he have the same influence at a higher grade? Quite possibly as he is maturing.