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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club 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 marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of changes 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 perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.