A Steven Fletcher hat-trick inspired Scotland to a commanding 6-1 win over Group D minnows Gibraltar at Hampden.

Fletcher's hat-trick - the first time a Scotland player has bagged a hat-trick since Colin Stein scored four in 1969 against Cyprus - was the striker's first goals for his country in six years.

He was accompanied on the scoresheet by Shaun Maloney who netted a first-half brace with both goals coming from the spot while Steven Naismith also claimed a goal.

Yet, for all the scoreline underlines Scotland's superiority in a game that was as one-sided as the goals suggest, it did take an early hiccup to get Gordon Strachan's side going.

When Maloney netted the first of the afternoon, the suggestion was that Scotland would canter on to all three points.

They did that, but not before Ryan Casciaro , a policeman in his day job , blotted their copybook.

The minnows - who had conceded 21 goals without reply in the group ahead of their meeting with Scotland - levelled immediately after Maloney's spot-kick to cause flutters of consternation within the Scotland camp.

For all that the goal might have sent alarm bells ringing, it proved to be little more than a statistical note.

Steven Fletcher capitalised on some amateur goalkeeping from Jamie Robba to re-establish Scotland's lead. And from there on there was no way back into the encounter for Gibralter as Maloney netted again from the spot and Steven Naismith hit a fourth before the interval came calling.

It had been a surprise Scotland formation that Strachan began the game with.

A back three of Andy Robertson, Russell Martin and Alan Hutton was effectively a central defender flanked by two attacking full-backs. It ensured Scotland created a plethora of chances, but, in those early minutes also left them exposed until they found their stride.

Gordon Greer's arrival for Matt Ritchie in the second period meant a change in system and the game, inevitably given the scoreline, went a little flat.

Fletcher ought to have added his second of the game shortly after the hour mark but glanced his effort wide of the target.

Jordan Rhodes took over from Naismith with 25 minutes remaining while Barry Bannan was also introduced to the fray.

The duo combined shortly afterwards, with Rhodes hitting the side-netting.

Rhodes was involved minutes later when he turned provider to tee up Fletcher for Scotland's fifth.

The striker popped up minutes before regulation time to add a third and make his own little bit of history.

One of the easier days at the office for Scotland who will now watch with interest to see what the Republic of Ireland do later this evening against Poland.