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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid back on track. There was a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now lost a team record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the probable option. Yet, the match was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of this standing. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the manager lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite reasonable results in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled first-half possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

The second period started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their faces. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and on to the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth Rangers, runners-up in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.