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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.