Tom Cairney insists he always wanted to sign a new deal at Hull City and paid little attention to gossip.
Tigers starlet happy to have penned new deal
Tom Cairney insists he always wanted to sign a new deal at Hull City and paid little attention to gossip.
The 19-year-old hit the headlines in March when talks regarding a contract extension stalled amid reports he was attracting interest from Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
He was subsequently dropped from the starting XI by then boss Phil Brown, although he insisted the two matters were not related.
Part of the problem appeared to be that Cairney was using an unlicensed agent, making discussions all the more difficult.
However, the issue has since been resolved, with the signing of a three-year deal, and the youngster has stressed that it was always his intention to remain at the KC Stadium.
He said: "I didn't feel like I needed an agent at such a young age and I just went to get some advice, which I got advised to do by the staff.
"There weren't many negotiations between me and the club, it was kind of at a standstill, but then there were things in the national papers.
Speculation
"But the main thing was I was just trying to get pen to paper as quickly as possible and that's what I've done and I'm here for another three years and hopefully more.
"Players were telling me Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham were interested. It is nice to hear those things but you can't believe everything you hear. It's all about Hull City and staying in the Premier League."
Iain Dowie brought Cairney back into the fold against Birmingham on Saturday, having been impressed on the training ground, and the Tigers boss believes the talented midfielder has a bright future ahead of him.
"I believe football teams should be a meritocracy," he said.
"Tom showed me enough in training, enough hunger, and I think he deserved to be in the team.
"At a time when you're looking for someone to step forward, Tom stepped forward. He's rewarded me with a good display and I'm now expecting even more of him."
