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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable option. However, the game was decided as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’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 appears reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.