Career
Cairney has previously played for Queen"s Park, Partick Thistle, Hibernian and Kilmarnock. Cairney was registered with Street Mirren as a youth player, but was released by the club aged 17. He then signed for amateur club Queen"s Park and made his first senior appearance in December 2005.
Cairney signed a three-year deal with Partick Thistle in 2008, but was loaned back to Queen"s Park for six months.
This loan was subsequently extended in January to the end of the 2008-2009 season. Cairney made his debut for Thistle in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie against Airdrie United, coming on as a substitute.
His full and home debut came against Berwick Rangers in the Scottish League Cup. He was nominated for player of the year in the 2011-2012 Scottish First Division.
Cairney signed a two-year contract with Hibernian in July 2012.
He scored his first goal for the club on 1 September, in a 2–2 draw against Celtic. Cairney struggled to consistently hold a place in the Hibernian first team due to injuries. He was released by the club at the end of the 2013-2014 season.
Cairney signed a two-year contract with Kilmarnock in June 2014.
After being released by Kilmarnock, Cairney signed for Scottish League One side Stranraer in July 2015.