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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. 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 continental matches in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors 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 pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.