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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma dealt with this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m signing from the Toffees 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 utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.