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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.