Fraser Hornby hit a hat-trick as a crowd of over 2,000 watched Scotland run out as comfortable victors over Andorra at Tynecastle in group D of the UEFA European Championship qualifying.

Scotland played some good stuff struggled to turn that possession into quality chances. A penalty moments prior to the interval gave the hosts liftoff and from then on, it was only going to go one way.

Hornby, who proved to be a real asset for Scotland with his physicality, rounded off his hat-trick with two goals in the latter stages of the second half to move Scotland onto 11 points, and keep the pressure on the English and the Dutch.

The first meaningful chance came on five minutes as Mikey Johnston slipped a reverse ball into the path of Fraser Hornby, but the striker saw his low shot blocked and roll behind for a corner. He was at it again a few minutes later but this time Iker was to deny, as the keeper held on to his downwards header.

Hornby continued to be at the forefront of the action, although he had a penalty claim waved away after hitting the ground in the midst of a give-and-go with Stevie Mallan.

Scotland were comfortably on top for the majority of the first period but struggled to create a real clear-cut opportunity. A bit of luck helped the lively Hornby in behind once again with 23 minutes on the clock, although once more, Iker was on hand to push behind from close range.

Hibs defender Ryan Porteous went close with a downward header from Billy Gilmour’s corner before Stevie Mallan brought Iker back into action with a low free kick - forcing the keeper into a smart save.

Chelsea’s Gilmour was lively and put plenty of good deliveries in during the first half and a few minutes before the interval he found Hornby with a clever low ball - but the forward could only hit the keeper from extremely close range. The ball fell out to Mallan but the former Barnsley man’s low drive was deflected behind for a corner.

This time Gilmour’s delivery was on the money and referee Dejan Jakimovski pointed to the spot as Alex Martinez hauled down Porteous at the back post. The wide man went into the book as Hornby stepped up confidently and sent Iker the wrong way, dispatching the spot kick into the bottom left corner to give Scotland a much needed lift going into the break.

The second half was a slow burner to start off, although a chance fell to Andorra just seven minutes into the second half as Ricard Fernandez drove in on goal, but Porteous raced back to block the attacker’s effort he could pull the trigger.

Ryan Williamson hit the byline for Scotland but his cross was caught by Iker, before Chris Cadden fired a dangerous ball towards Hornby - but he couldn’t guide his effort beyond the 16 year old Andorran keeper.

The second came on 69 minutes as Gilmour whipped a delicious ball into Hornby, who did the rest as he diverted the ball past Iker and into the net for his second goal of the evening.

This made it a long way back Andorra rarely provided a threat and their attacks were scarce and far between

Porteous tried his luck from the best part of 30 yards, and although he struck it well, it was always bouncing wide. Later on, Johnston wriggled his way in from the left side but he dragged his effort weakly off target.

On 83 minutes Cadden surged down the right wing before whipping in to Hornby, who guided beyond from close range Iker to complete his hat-trick and ensure he would be taking home the match ball. 

Right at the death, substitute Oli Shaw put the ball in the net, but the by that point the full time whistle had already sounded. Not always pretty, but a routine win and an important three points nonetheless to put the Scots in good stead ahead of Tuesday’s hugely important clash away in Holland.