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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly 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 witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.