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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were involved. The raft of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.