The Blackburn Rovers midfielder is gearing up for Wednesday’s quarter final tie with Liverpool at Ewood Park, with a place in the semi-final at Wembley just one win away.
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool
The FA Cup
Sixth Round Proper replay
7.45pm, Wednesday 8 April 2015
Ewood Park, Blackburn
Winners receive £360,000 from prize fund
Live on BT Sport
And having already learned about many of the competition’s most memorable moments from Cup fanatic dad Ian, he’s now hoping to create some of his own history with the Lancashire club.
"My dad used to go on about the FA Cup all the time when I was little," revealed the former Hull City schemer.
"The FA Cup's special, FA Cup this and that. But some people don't see it as big as they used to in the old days.
"But the FA Cup is one of the most famous competitions in the world of football and to play in a semi-final at Wembley would be a dream."
The Championship side go into the game as underdogs in the eyes of many, but after holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield in the first tie, Cairney believes anything could happen.
Highlights of the first tie between the sides at Anfield
And with the Cup wisdom of his father still ringing in his ears, the 24-year-old is ready to help Rovers claim another Premier League scalp following on from their previous victories over Swansea City and Stoke City.
"My dad would say it was a special time, he'd go on about Hereford beating Newcastle," added Cairney.
"I'd say, 'Right, dad, bore me later!'
"But he is right, it's the underdog playing the favourites. Anything can happen, we've shown that this season."
