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Roma displayed impressive effectiveness about the way Roma dealt with this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. Roma from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid on the right path. Observers noted a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when surrender felt the more likely option. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result appropriately depicting men against boys.

Surprisingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second continental encounter with a team from Scotland since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it politely) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, teams from Scotland could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the co-efficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not his predecessor. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of this season. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

A further factor was much more noticeable as the sides lined up. Rangers’ obvious lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante easily redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been criticised for bluntness despite decent performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised instantly. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the Roma defence. Chermiti’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has piled pressure on the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma doubled their lead through their captain, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net came after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will bemoan the fact the midfielder was left in blissful isolation but it was a gorgeous strike. Ibrox, typically a boisterous venue on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were simply in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Supporters directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and sporting director, the director. Two banners, clearly menacing in tone, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their faces. One wonders what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, the chairman had an low-profile life as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a mutinous feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

Right on cue, the striker was played in on the keeper on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered Rangers’ best period of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the underside of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of changes from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a summer exhibition than serious contest. This of course suited the Italians perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in recently and worthy of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the point of just participating.