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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, face manageable rivals when placing their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven continental matches consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment here was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second European joust with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in Europe. This season has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a level that will soon have major ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he is not his predecessor. The latter’s dismal tenure as the manager lasted just over four months in the initial phase of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the teams took the field. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily flicked on a set-piece at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger sprinted into space to knock his team in front. A Roma team without the injured their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for bluntness despite reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have levelled matters immediately. Instead, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the Roma defence. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from Everton has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an effective striker but appears unwilling or unable to utilize them fully.

Roma dominated first-half possession thereafter. They doubled their lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder stood in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous finish. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which met the interval were subdued; the home team were clearly in the midst of being overwhelmed.

The second period started against a curious backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the duo with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, the chairman had an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a acquisition of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner yet but there is a mutinous mood in the air. It is one which is easy to understand; Rangers’ leadership is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on goal on the hour mark and hit the outside of the goal. That moment sparked the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. It was, however, hard to determine Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut chances were concerned. The series of changes from each side meant this game ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how exactly the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in 2022 and worthy of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.