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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.