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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.