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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’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 displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of making up the numbers.