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There was impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors 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 quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, usually a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval 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 sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders 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 acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.