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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the probable option. However, the match was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a club of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will shortly have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled first-half possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on the keeper on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The series of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of just participating.