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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level 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 continued for 123 days in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound 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.

Roma dominated first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. The stadium, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were timid; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. After all, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of making up the numbers.