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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 European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot 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 here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. The previous one, against the Terrors 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge consequences.

The new manager’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the initial phase of this season. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked worrying. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma ahead. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m signing from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, the chairman had an anonymous life as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood in the air. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of making up the numbers.