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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit 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 fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.