History man Steven Fletcher has spoken of his pride as he ended a six-year international scoring drought to become the first Scotland player to net a hat-trick since 1969 . The Sunderland striker hit his treble in the 6-1 triumph over Gibraltar , with two Shaun Maloney penalties and a Steven Naismith strike also helping Hampden recover from the shock of Lee Casciaro ’ s first-half equaliser for the Group D minnows . Not since Colin Stein bagged four against Cyprus in 1969 had someone scored more than two for the national side . Steven Fletcher celebrates after scoring the second of his three goals against Gibraltar on Sunday . Fletcher ( right ) curls the ball around the Gibraltar defence to net his third goal of the game at Hampden Park . Regardless of the weak opposition in the Euro 2016 qualifier - albeit the Scots fell victim to the visitors ’ first-ever competitive goal to make it 1-1 - Fletcher admitted he was thrilled to have achieved a feat that eluded even the great Kenny Dalglish . ‘ I got asked after the Northern Ireland game if I could get a hat-trick and I laughed it off , ’ said Fletcher . ‘ I said I would be happy with one goal as I haven ’ t scored for a while . So to get the hat-trick was really pleasing . I was delighted . Gibraltar goalkeeper Jamie Robba dives to his right but is unable to stop the ball hitting the back of the net . Sunderland forward Fletcher is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring against minnows Gibraltar . ‘ I ’ ve been told that it was 46 years since the last Scotland hat-trick and I was shocked . ‘ I thought Kenny would have managed it so I am very happy and proud to be part of history . ‘ It means a lot . It ’ s really good and it will be one of the best achievements of my career . ‘ I ’ ve got the match ball and I ’ ll probably put it in a little glass cabinet . I have another one from my Hibs days when I scored a hat-trick against Gretna , so I will put it next to that . That was my last hat-trick so it will go beside that one. ’ Fletcher had last scored for Scotland against Iceland in 2009 , and had drawn a blank since his return from a 19-month international exile in 2011 . The 28-year-old gave thanks to Gordon Strachan for sticking by him and hopes this boost will help him over the remainder of the Euro 2016 campaign , which continues with a crunch trip to Dublin in June . Fletcher was recently mocked on Twitter for buying a Lamborghini after inconsistent form for his club . Scotland boss Gordon Strachan admitted he is upbeat at his side 's position in Group D after their win . ‘ It ’ s been a while since I scored for Scotland and I was aware of that . I get told every day , ’ he said . ‘ It ’ s good to get off the mark again , especially after being out for a long time . Was it getting to me ? Not really . I was still confident going in to games . ‘ To be honest I haven ’ t had many chances in games but I had a lot against Gibraltar . I could have scored more than three but I was just happy to get the goals . ‘ Getting the hat-trick will definitely help my confidence going into the summer . Hopefully I have done enough to stay in the gaffer ’ s plans and I ’ m looking forward to it . ‘ The manager likes my link-up play . I know people have been saying I haven ’ t scored but I ’ ve been doing other parts . ‘ He ’ s praised me for that and if I can keep doing that , and add goals , then I ’ ll be happy . ‘ He ’ s been a massive support to me . He ’ s been great with me since I came back into the Scotland squad and I owe a lot to him . ’
Scotland beat Gibraltar 6-1 in their European qualifier on Saturday . Steven Fletcher scored a hat-trick ; Scotland 's first in 46 years . Fletcher scored his first goals in international football since April 2009 . The Sunderland forward admits he will cherish his hat-trick .