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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous place on continental evenings, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman enjoyed an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how exactly Rangers, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.