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There was impressive effectiveness about the way the Italian side handled this trip to Scotland. Minimum of fuss. The team from Italy’s capital did, nonetheless, face manageable rivals when putting their Europa League bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers squad that has now suffered defeat in a club record seven European games consecutively.

To their credit, Rangers at least huffed and puffed during a later period when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the match was settled as a contest by then. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the tournament, which should constitute an disgrace to a team of such stature. The Giallorossi have eyes again on making proper impact. Their only regret here was in not producing a result appropriately depicting the mismatch in quality.

Amazingly, this represented only Roma’s second continental encounter with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibs in 1961. Their last such match, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the bribing of a referee. Back then, Scottish clubs could vie with the best in the continent. The current campaign has seen the UEFA coefficient drop to a level that will shortly have huge ramifications.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the fanbase are concerned is that he isn’t his predecessor. Martin’s ghastly spell as the manager lasted 123 days in the early part of the campaign. The German coach, the recent appointment at the helm, has displayed potential though within a limited timeframe. The technical areas witnessed a clash of generations; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini is 67.

Another element was much more noticeable as the sides took the field. Rangers’ glaring lack of height against the Italians looked ominous. This point was confirmed within 13 minutes as Bryan Cristante comfortably flicked on a corner at the near post. Following up, the Argentine winger burst forward to knock Roma in front. The visitors without the injured Evan Ferguson and their star attacker, who have been questioned for lack of cutting edge despite decent performances 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 Roma defence. The player’s £8m purchase from Everton has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an productive centre forward but appears reluctant or incapable to utilize them fully.

The Italian outfit dominated first-half the ball thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose curling shot into the far post of the goalkeeper’s net came after a pass from Artem Dovbyk. The hosts will lament the fact the midfielder stood in blissful isolation but it was a superb strike. Ibrox, usually a raucous place on European nights, had been quietened with time still remaining until halftime. Even the boos which greeted the half-time whistle were timid; the home team were clearly in the process of being overwhelmed.

After the break began against a curious atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the top executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, the director. Two banners, obviously sinister in message, depicted the pair with bullseyes on their images. It raises questions what the club owner thinks about all this. After all, Andrew Cavenagh had an low-profile career as a successful businessman in the US before fronting a takeover of this club. Fans have not targeted Cavenagh so far but there is a mutinous mood around the club. It is one which is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is completely unconvincing.

As if scripted, the striker was sent through on goal on the 60-minute mark and hit the outside of the goal. This actually triggered the home side’s finest spell of the match, in which their replacement Thelo Aasgaard shot narrowly past the post. It was, nonetheless, difficult to determine the visitors’ remaining attacking motivation until the full-back was given a chance from close range which he somehow lifted and onto the bottom of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as clear-cut opportunity were concerned. The series of substitutions from both teams resulted in this fixture ended more in the fashion of a pre-season friendly than serious contest. That scenario benefited the Italians fine. It prompted reflection to consider how on earth the Glasgow club, runners-up in this competition in recently and strong enough of the last eight a season ago, arrived at the stage of just participating.