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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. Back then, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a last year, reached the stage of just participating.