 During his National Service, he played in an Army match alongside Dundee United's Ron Yeats, who recommended him to the club.Cairns signed for Dundee United in September 1960, making his debut that month in a Scottish Football League match against St Johnstone.After being a first team regular in his first season, Cairns made only one appearance in 1961–62 and was given a free transfer by Dundee United in May 1962.