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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, clearly sinister in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in 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 consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.