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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on 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 first-half 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 lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the stage of making up the numbers.