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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient drop to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.