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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian 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, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.