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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.