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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. Roma from Rome did, nonetheless, meet favourable opposition when placing their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now lost a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. However, the game was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient drop 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 his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted 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 dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the teams 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 redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. The visitors minus the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness even with reasonable performances in this campaign, were pleased with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised instantly. Instead, the forward sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a boisterous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the interval were timid; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break began against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ leadership is completely unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of substitutions from each side resulted in this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, arrived at the stage of just participating.