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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Rome 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 Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent results 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 Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up 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 game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.