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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness in the way Roma handled this journey to Glasgow. 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 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 in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain rooted to the bottom of the tournament, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of such stature. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly spell 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 tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ glaring short stature against the Italians looked worrying. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire Roma ahead. A Roma team minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with decent performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

Rangers could have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a raucous venue on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining before the break. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the midst of being outclassed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the United States before fronting a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood around the club. It is one which is easy to understand; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he inexplicably hit up and on to the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians perfectly. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and strong enough of the quarter-finals a last year, reached the point of just participating.