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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.