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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of just participating.