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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven 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 knock Roma ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.