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There was impressive effectiveness in the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s £8m signing from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball from that point. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of making up the numbers.