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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; 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. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire his team in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of 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.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.