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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 Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal 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 albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, the forward 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 physique to be an effective centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.