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There was admirable efficiency about the way Roma handled this trip to Glasgow. Without much drama. The team from Italy’s capital did, however, meet favourable opposition when putting their European competition bid back on track. Observers noted a glaring difference in class between Roma and a Rangers side that has now lost a club record seven European games consecutively.

Positively, the home side at least fought hard during a second half when capitulation felt the probable outcome. Yet, the game was decided as a contest at that stage. The Scottish club remain rooted to the foot of the Europa League, which should represent an disgrace to a club of such stature. The Giallorossi have ambitions once more on achieving significant success. One slight disappointment in this match was in not producing a scoreline appropriately depicting men against boys.

Amazingly, this marked only the Roman club’s second-ever European joust with Scottish opposition since Fairs Cup business with Hibernian in the early 60s. The previous one, against Dundee United over two decades later, became overshadowed (to put it mildly) by the corruption of a match official. In those days, teams from Scotland could compete with the best in Europe. This season has seen the co-efficient plunge to a level that will shortly have huge consequences.

Danny Röhl’s main quality so far as the Rangers support are concerned is that he is not Russell Martin. Martin’s dismal spell as the head coach lasted 123 days in the initial phase of the campaign. Röhl, the recent appointment at the helm, has shown promise though within a tiny sample size. The technical areas saw a generation game; Röhl is thirty-six, his counterpart the Roma manager is 67.

A further factor was far more striking as the sides took the field. Rangers’ obvious short stature against the Italians looked ominous. This point was proven within 13 minutes as the Roma midfielder easily redirected a corner at the near post. At the back, Matías Soulé sprinted into space to fire his team in front. The visitors without the injured their young striker and their star attacker, who have been criticised for lack of cutting edge even with reasonable performances in the tournament, were delighted with their quick lead.

The Ibrox side could have equalised instantly. Instead, Youssef Chermiti sent his effort off target after a defensive error in the visitors’ backline. Chermiti’s £8m signing from the Toffees has increased scrutiny of the club’s recruitment team. Chermiti possesses at least the physical attributes to be an effective striker but seems reluctant or incapable to use them.

The Italian outfit controlled opening period possession thereafter. Roma extended their advantage through Lorenzo Pellegrini, whose bent effort into the bottom corner of the goalkeeper’s net arrived after a pass from the Ukrainian forward. Rangers will bemoan the fact Pellegrini was left in blissful isolation but it was a superb finish. Ibrox, typically a boisterous place on European nights, had been silenced with time still remaining before the break. The discontent which met the half-time whistle were subdued; Rangers were simply in the process of being outclassed.

After the break started against a unusual atmosphere. Those Rangers fans turned their attentions once again towards the club’s chief executive, Patrick Stewart, and transfer chief, Kevin Thelwell. A pair of displays, obviously menacing in message, depicted the duo with bullseyes on their images. One wonders what the Rangers chairman makes of all this. Ultimately, Andrew Cavenagh enjoyed an low-profile career as a wealthy entrepreneur in the US before leading a takeover of Rangers. Fans have not targeted the owner so far but there is a rebellious mood in the air. This is unsurprising; Rangers’ management is wholly unimpressive.

Right on cue, Chermiti was sent through on goal on the hour mark and hit the side netting. This actually triggered the home side’s best period of the match, in which their substitute the young midfielder shot narrowly past the post. It was, however, difficult to gauge the visitors’ remaining offensive intent until Zeki Celik was presented with a opportunity from close range which he inexplicably lifted and onto the underside of the crossbar.

That opportunity as far as meaningful chances were concerned. The raft of substitutions from each side meant this fixture ended more in the style of a pre-season friendly than competitive match. That scenario benefited Roma perfectly. It prompted reflection to ponder how exactly the Glasgow club, finalists in this tournament in 2022 and worthy of the last eight a season ago, reached the point of just participating.