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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma handled this trip to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid on the right path. There was a obvious difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches in a row.

Positively, the home side at least huffed and puffed during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the bottom of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not delivering a scoreline that truly reflected men against boys.

Surprisingly, this represented only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in the early 60s. Their last such match, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it politely) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach lasted just over four months in the early part of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential albeit within a tiny sample size. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams lined up. The home team’s glaring short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team ahead. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with decent results in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an effective centre forward but appears unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma controlled first-half possession from that point. Roma extended their advantage through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in complete freedom but it was a superb finish. The stadium, 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 clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the club’s chief executive, the CEO, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, obviously menacing in tone, showed the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about the situation. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not turned on Cavenagh yet but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is easy to understand; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge Roma’s continued attacking motivation until the full-back was given a opportunity all of a yard out which he somehow lifted and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were involved. The raft of changes from both teams meant this fixture closed more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.