BORN-AGAIN Scotland striker Steven Fletcher was today backed to build on his historic hat-trick- against Euro 2016 rivals Republic of Ireland.

Fletcher became the first Scot to score three goals in an international in 46 years in the 6-1 win over minnows Gibraltar at Hampden last night.

Rangers great Colin Stein, who netted four times against Cyprus in 1969, was the last man to take home the match ball after a game for his country.

The Sunderland star's efforts kept Gordon Strachan's side on course to qualify for the finals in France in two years' time.

They are level with world champions Germany in second place in Group D after five games - just a point behind leaders Poland.

And Scotland midfielder James Morrison is confident Fletcher will contribute more in their remaining games - starting in Dublin in June.

He said: "Steven showed what a great finisher he is against Gibraltar. Those three goals he scored showed what he is capable of when he starts firing.

"There is more to his game than that. He sets up those around him with chances. When he is on form Steven can be a really top player.

"He has been around for a long time and has scored a lot of goals. He has had a little blip, but that is him come back now with a hat-trick.

"Let's hope that it kicks Steven on. Fingers crossed that he can keep doing it. But I think he just needs game time.

" I hope that he is confident and scoring goals when we meet up next ahead of the Ireland game because it benefits Scotland."

Morrison revealed that he had given close friend Fletcher a rollicking in training at Mar Hall last week for not being more ruthless in the final third.

And the West Bromwich Albion star is hoping that he can replicate the form his showed up front against Gibraltar against Martin O'Neilll's team.

He said: "We are good friends and I was having a go at him in training this week for not shooting more. He kept trying to pass. He wasn't being selfish enough.

"I am sure that he will continue to be ruthless in future. As I say, he is a great finisher and can cause teams at any level problems."

Scotland gaffer Strachan sprang a surprise when he fielded a 3-2-4-1 formation in the Group D match at Hampden.

The national team, who usually favour a 4-2-3-1 set-up, looked uncomfortable with the system and allowed the visitors to score their first ever international goal.

Morrison revealed the squad had underestimated in training last week and had paid the price for that complacency.

He said: "I think we just concentrated on attacked and slacked off on the defensive work. I think we thought it would be easy. That was our downfall.

"We worked all week on it and it worked well, but Hampden is a massive pitch and it didn't work out the way we hoped that it would.

"Hopefully when we meet up again we can get back to what we have been doing. It will be a really tough game against Ireland, but we will be up for it."