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

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.