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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature 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. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent 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 turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it 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 pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.