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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled opening period possession from that point. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side 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 Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.