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There was impressive effectiveness in the way the Italian side dealt with this trip to Glasgow. Minimum of fuss. The team from Rome did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. There was a glaring difference in class between the Serie A outfit and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a team record seven European games in a row.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a later period when capitulation felt the more likely outcome. However, the game was settled as a competition by then. Rangers remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions again on achieving significant success. Their only regret here was in not delivering a result that truly reflected men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. The previous one, against Dundee United 23 years later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, Scottish clubs could compete with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient plunge to a point that will soon have major consequences.

Danny Röhl’s key attribute up to now as the fanbase are see it is that he isn’t Russell Martin. The latter’s ghastly tenure as the manager continued for 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the new man at the helm, has shown promise albeit within a tiny sample size. The dugouts saw a generation game; the Rangers boss is thirty-six, his opposite number the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the teams lined up. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked worrying. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably redirected a set-piece at the front post. At the back, Matías Soulé burst forward to fire Roma in front. A Roma team minus the unavailable Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were pleased with their quick lead.

Rangers could have levelled matters immediately. Rather, the forward screwed his shot wide after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. The player’s eight-million-pound signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. He has at least the physical attributes to be an productive striker but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

Roma controlled opening period possession thereafter. They extended their advantage through their captain, whose curling shot into the bottom corner of Jack Butland’s net arrived after a lay off from the Ukrainian forward. The hosts will lament the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, usually a boisterous venue on continental evenings, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the midst of being outclassed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions for the latest time towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, showed the pair with targets on their images. It raises questions what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. After all, the chairman enjoyed an anonymous career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Paying punters have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. It is one which is unsurprising; The team’s management is wholly unimpressive.

As if scripted, Chermiti was played in on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered Rangers’ finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard fired just wide. It was, nonetheless, hard to gauge Roma’s remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he somehow hit up and on to the bottom of the crossbar.

That was it as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams meant this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited Roma fine. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly Rangers, finalists in this competition in 2022 and strong enough of the quarter-finals a season ago, arrived at the point of making up the numbers.