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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a scoreline appropriately depicting 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 Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma in front. A Roma team without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, typically a raucous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a curious atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of this club. Fans have not turned on the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s continued offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the point of just participating.