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There was admirable efficiency in the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a glaring gulf in quality between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely option. However, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. Back then, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have huge consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked worrying. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder comfortably flicked on a set-piece at the front post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire Roma in front. The visitors minus the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances in this campaign, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters instantly. Rather, the forward 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 centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. They doubled their lead through their captain, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will lament the fact Pellegrini stood in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. The discontent which greeted the interval were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in message, showed the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, the chairman had an anonymous career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a rebellious feeling in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the game, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and onto the bottom of the bar.

That was it as far as meaningful opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than competitive match. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how on earth the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, reached the stage of just participating.