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Roma displayed admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, 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 bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. A Roma team without the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side resulted in this game closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how on earth Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.