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Roma displayed admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this journey to Scotland. Without much drama. The team from Rome did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a the Scottish team side that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

To their credit, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition at that stage. The Scottish club remain anchored at the foot of the tournament, which should represent an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have eyes once more on making proper impact. One slight disappointment in this match was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this represented only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since the historic Fairs Cup fixtures with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United 23 years later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in Europe. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will soon have major consequences.

The new manager’s main quality up to now as the Rangers support are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. Martin’s ghastly spell as the head coach continued for 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a limited timeframe. The dugouts saw a clash of generations; Röhl is 36, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the teams lined up. The home team’s obvious short stature against the visitors looked ominous. That concern was confirmed within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a set-piece at the near post. At the back, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team in front. The visitors minus the unavailable their young striker and Paulo Dybala, who have been questioned for bluntness even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their early advantage.

Rangers should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound purchase from the Toffees has piled pressure on the Rangers transfer hierarchy. He has at least the physique to be an productive centre forward but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball from that point. They extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened nine minutes until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

The second period began against a curious backdrop. Supporters turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, the CEO, and sporting director, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, showed the pair with bullseyes on their faces. It raises questions what the club owner makes of all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an anonymous life as a wealthy entrepreneur in the United States before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not turned on the owner so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unimpressive.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and found only the outside of the goal. That moment sparked Rangers’ finest spell of the game, in which their substitute the young midfielder fired just wide. Yet, however, hard to determine the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was given a chance from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the bottom of the bar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The raft of changes from each side meant this game closed more in the style of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. This of course suited Roma fine. There was cause to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the last eight a last year, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.