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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas 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. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.