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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this journey to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, face manageable rivals when putting their European competition bid on the right path. There was a obvious gulf in quality between Roma and a the Scottish team squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven continental matches consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least fought hard during a second half when surrender felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a competition at that stage. Rangers remain anchored at the foot of the Europa League, which should constitute an embarrassment to a team of this standing. Roma have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret in this match was in not producing a result that truly reflected the mismatch in quality.

Surprisingly, this marked only Roma’s second-ever continental encounter with a team from Scotland since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in 1961. The previous one, against the Terrors over two decades later, became marred (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the top sides in the continent. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute so far as the Rangers support are see it is that he is not Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the head coach continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a tiny sample size. The dugouts witnessed a generation game; the Rangers boss is 36, his counterpart the Roma manager is sixty-seven.

Another element was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the visitors looked ominous. This point was proven within the opening quarter-hour as the Roma midfielder comfortably redirected a corner at the front post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to fire his team ahead. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable results in this campaign, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side should have equalised immediately. Rather, Youssef Chermiti screwed his shot wide after a mix-up in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m purchase from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the Rangers transfer hierarchy. Chermiti possesses at least the physique to be an productive striker but seems unwilling or unable to use them.

Roma dominated opening period the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in complete freedom but it was a gorgeous strike. The stadium, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened nine minutes before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; the home team were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual backdrop. Those Rangers fans directed their focus for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, clearly sinister in tone, depicted the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman thinks about the situation. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a acquisition of this club. Paying punters have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious feeling around the club. This is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unconvincing.

As if scripted, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and found only the side netting. That moment sparked the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. Yet, however, hard to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until the full-back was given a chance all of a yard out which he somehow hit up and on to the underside of the crossbar.

That was it as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from each side meant this game closed more in the fashion of a summer exhibition 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, arrived at the stage of just participating.