TOM CAIRNEY is a Premier League star in the making.

The stats show it. His performances suggest it. And he believes it.

6 Tom Cairney has helped fire Fulham into the play-offs Credit: Reuters

The playmaker, 26, has been the catalyst for Fulham’s play-off push this season, scoring 12 goals and bagging ten assists.

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But beyond his strike rate, it is his passing numbers which truly hint at a player ready not only to play in the top flight, but to shine there.

Cairney is the best in England when it comes to passes-per-game, with a whopping 74.53.

PASS MASTERS MOST SUCCESSFUL PASSES PER GAME Jorginho (Napoli) 92.13

Thiago Alcantara (Bayern) 86.54

Thiago Motta (PSG) 84.72

Marco Verratti (PSG) 76.67

Thiago Silva (PSG) 75.12

TOM CAIRNEY (Fulham) 74.53

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) 73.63

BEST PASS ACCURACY

Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) 94.27%

Dante (Nice) 93.97%

Thiago Silva (PSG) 93.67%

Marquinhos (PSG) 93.53%

Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) 92.93%

TOM CAIRNEY (Fulham) 92.65%

(Minimum 1,000 passes)

6 White midfielder Cairney makes more passes a game than any other player in England Credit: Rex Features

And those figures put him sixth on the list in the top five divisions in EUROPE, including the Championship.

The Scot has his own theory on his form — he is finally playing in his prefereed central midfield spot.

Cairney said: “It’s crazy when people put those stats on Twitter. It’s amazing to think in the top five leagues in Europe, I’m up there.

“It’s been one hell of a season. I think it’s because I’m playing in my position for the first time in a long time.

“For a long time at Blackburn and at Fulham last season, I was playing on the right wing. I’ve never seen myself as a right-winger. I could play there and come inside and try to create.

6 Fulham and Cairney host Readin in the play-offs on Saturday Credit: Rex Features

“But I’ve been on the ball a lot this season and tried to make us play.”

So, does he believe he can transfer that hot form into the Premier League? You bet.

He said: “Definitely. Every player has to back themselves to play at that level and I believe once I get there — and I hope it’s with Fulham — I really will show I can do things at that level.

“It’s all about getting there in the first place. But I do think it does suit my game.

“You get a bit more time on the ball. The Championship is relentless sometimes with the Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday.

6 Cairney is backing himself to be a Premier League success Credit: Rex Features

“The way they pass in the Premier League, it would suit me down to the ground.”

Cairney has a real chance of making it to the top flight with Fulham in the play-offs.

They host Reading on Saturday in the first leg of their semi-final. And, coming in to the play-off lottery, are arguably playing the best football of the top six.

After their 4-1 demolition of Huddersfield recently — which took their tally to NINE in two games against Town — Slavisa Jokanovic declared his team had taken a while to believe in his methods and in themselves, hence their late push into the top six.

Of that suggestion, Cairney said: “Maybe. But a lot of people forget this team isn’t even 12 months old yet.

“We’ve only started playing this formation and this starting XI in October.

“What we’ve done in a short space of time is brilliant and the gaffer has to take a lot of credit for that, along with his staff. We felt earlier the results didn’t match the performances.

“But since the New Year, we’ve been hitting our stride and I feel we are always going to score a few goals and win games.

6 Fulham took a while to settle under boss Slavisa Jokanovic Credit: PA:Press Association

“Any side that plays us at the minute will be fearful of us. I’m enjoying it.”

Fulham have been so good of late they have become many experts’ tip — including ex-Norwich boss Alex Neil and myself — to go all the way to Wembley glory.

Cairney added: “Because we’ve only got in there at the end, it’s hard to say that. But momentum is a big thing in football and it’s with us.”

Even if Cairney does not get the play-off final gong he wants, he already has the PFA community champion award.

6 Cairney made his Scotland debut in a recent friendly against Canada Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He said: “I try to keep in contact with the fans on social media. I went round to the little lad Giacamo’s house who sent me his pocket money.

“It got quite blown up on Sky Sports News. But it’s just little things like that.

“But it’s nice. If you try to give back, the fans appreciate it, so it’s all good.”

Cairney is already a hero to fans like Giacomo.

But he can become a legend if he helps Fulham pass back into the Prem.