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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when placing their Europa League bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a scoreline that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have major ramifications.

The new manager’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. The home team’s glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. Following up, Matías Soulé burst forward to knock his team in front. A Roma team minus the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have equalised immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period possession from that point. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. The stadium, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in message, depicted the duo with targets on their images. One wonders what the club owner makes of the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Paying punters have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is easy to understand; The team’s leadership is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, difficult to determine the visitors’ continued attacking motivation until the full-back was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut chances were involved. The raft of substitutions from both teams meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.