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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the match was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly 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 though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball from that point. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the duo with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the Rangers chairman thinks about all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ continued offensive intent until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.