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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a match official. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.