RANGERS' in-form striker Kris Boyd scored a first-half double as Scotland opened up their Euro 2008 Group B qualifying campaign with an emphatic 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands at Parkhead.

Boyd, under-pressure Kenny Miller and James McFadden did not disappoint after Darren Fletcher's opener.

Miller would have been relieved after scoring, like Boyd from the spot, after 14 games without a goal for Celtic. Garry O'Connor came off the bench to make it six in Scotland's biggest victory since an 8-0 drubbing of Cyprus in 1969.

Scotland started with Boyd through the centre with Miller and McFadden on the flanks. But Smith had warned his players that the Scandinavian minnows were smarting from their opening 6-0 home defeat to Georgia last month.

Hartley signalled the home nations' intent early on by sending a right-foot shot past the post from over 25 yards.

But the Scotland supporters did not have to wait long for the first goal.

Miller cut past Pauli Hansen and pulled the ball into the centre for Fletcher to force the ball over the line from five yards.

Goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen thought he had done enough to keep the ball out but referee Igor Egorov pointed to the centre as the Old Trafford player was mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

The Faroes were staring another drubbing in the face after McFadden doubled the home country's lead in the 10th minute. Miller again showed his lack of Celtic goals had not effected his confidence with a clever spin away from his marker.

Two defenders quickly crowded him out but the ball broke to the former Motherwell man on the edge of the area and he hit a first time right foot shot between Mikkelsen's hand and the post. McFadden was optimistically asking the Russian official for a penalty moments later after falling over the feet of Oli Johannesen .

Gary Naysmith then had to head a free-kick from captain Johannesen wide, but the Scots were celebrating again in the 23rd minute having been awarded a penalty.

McFadden was fouled in the box and Boyd stepped up to force the ball under the diving goalkeeper to make it three goals in three internationals after his debut double against Bulgaria.

And Scotland only had to wait six minutes for the home side to make it four . . . courtesy of another spot kick.

Fletcher was felled in the box by Atli Danielsen and Miller took the ball for the opportunity to end his Celtic Park goal drought.

Miller stepped up assuredly but even he breathed a sigh of relief as Mikkelsen guessed the right way but was unable to keep the ball out.

Fletcher was instrumental in Scotland's fifth goal when he played a throughball to Boyd and the dangerman slotted home after his initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Mikkelsen.

The Manchester United midfielder was again involved in the action moments later having tussled with Frodi Benjamin and the referee showed both players a yellow card.

Scotland led 5-0 at half time, and they had not been 50 up at the break since their victory in Cyprus in 1968.

And they should have had a penalty just three minutes into the second period when Danielsen brought down Boyd but the referee did not agree. Jonhard Frederiksberg became the next man booked for a rash challenge on McFadden. Hartley looked to have played Boyd in for his hat-trick in the 52nd minute but his outstretched boot could not connect with the pass and the goalkeeper claimed the ball.

McFadden set his sights on his second but his free-kick was well kept out by the diving Mikkelsen close to his right post. Boyd was also sniffing for his treble and a vital tackle from Janus Joensen prevented him from testing the goalkeeper again.

The hard-working Miller came off to a standing ovation when replaced by Garry O'Connor in the 62nd minute.

Gordon had to be at full stretch to tip a cross from Danielsen over the crossbar but he did well to still be on his toes to make his first save of the game in the 70th minute. O'Connor looked keen to get on the score sheet and he sent shots over on two occasions before Mikkelsen saved Boyd's header. McFadden again brought out a great save from the over-worked goalkeeper. But he was beaten again with five minutes remaining when O'Connor fired home from inside the area to complete the rout.