Tom Cairney has opened up on being released by Leeds United as a teenager. The Fulham midfielder was a studio guest on Sky Sports’ flagship Monday Night Football show.

Reflecting on his time at Thorp Arch, Cairney said: “I got released at 16. I was there (at Leeds) from seven or eight, until 16. I was a late developer, a really late developer physically. They said they didn’t have the time to wait, couldn’t get around the pitch.

“Physically, I was physically weak. I was small. The technical side I had but always in youth football, the strongest and fastest wins until everyone catches up."

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Cairney's father played a decisive role in the player snubbing Nottingham Forest for Leeds' academy in 1998. “Leeds took me off Forest at 8, in a way if you can say that. I remember coming home from school and my dad said you’re going to Leeds. ‘What!’ We got in the car, we drove up to Thorp Arch,” Cairney said.

“You weren’t allowed to live an hour outside the training ground but we did. It was chaos, my dad was a taxi driver at the time. He used to break down on the way home, it was carnage. Unbelievable memories.”

Since leaving Thorp Arch in 2007, Cairney has represented Hull City, Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. His 10-year anniversary since joining the Cottagers is fast approaching and the Scotland international has racked up over 340 appearances for the West London outfit. Although Cairney remains Fulham's captain, he has started just two Premier League matches this term.