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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.