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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. 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 productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.