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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting 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 side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for 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 clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited 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 season ago, reached the stage of just participating.