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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. There was a glaring gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. 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-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers should have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the interval were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious mood around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker 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 game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, nonetheless, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.