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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides 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 Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in 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 fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.