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There was admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. Roma from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now lost a club record seven continental matches in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. However, the game was decided as a competition by then. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. 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 continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for just over four months in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was far more striking as the sides lined up. The home team’s obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the midst of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. A pair of displays, obviously sinister in message, showed the duo with targets on their faces. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, nonetheless, hard to gauge 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 bar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were involved. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. There was cause to consider how on earth 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.